Alice L. Giba 1931-2026

Alice was born Feb. 3, 1931, in Youngstown, to the late William “Boleslaw” Jacob Slipski and Anastasia Kotowski Slipski.

Alice attended St. Casimir Elementary School in the Polish neighborhood of Brier Hill. She graduated from The Rayen High School in 1949. Alice was the daughter of Polish immigrants who were among the founders of St. Casimir Church. She was the youngest of 11 children.

Alice enjoyed celebrating her Polish heritage at home and at church. She sang in the church choir, spoke fluently in both English and Polish, and enjoyed dancing in the Krakowiak Polish folk dance group as a young adult. Alice loved following in her mother’s footsteps in the kitchen. From a young age she learned how to make pierogi, golumpki (stuffed cabbage rolls), bake kolachi and many other Polish delicacies. Her mother also taught her how to crochet, sew, knit and do embroidery, among many other crafts. Alice’s favorite was decorating pisanki at Easter. They are intricately decorated Polish Easter eggs, deeply rooted in Slavic tradition and symbolizing new life, hope and resurrection. Her finished eggs were absolutely breathtaking. Alice was a proud member of the Polish Arts Club of Youngstown. She enjoyed attending Polish Day and the Simply Slavic festivals with her family.

Alice met the love of her life, Paul W. Giba, while dancing at the Avon Oaks Ballroom in Girard. Paul proposed to Alice after they attended a novena at St. Patrick Church on Oak Hill Avenue. They were married at St. Casimir on Saturday, May 1, 1954. Their wedding was officiated by her brother, the Rev. William “Bill” P. Slipski. Father Bill was the first vocation to be ordained from St. Casimir Church.

Fifty years later, Alice and Paul observed their golden wedding anniversary. They renewed their vows at St. Casimir on Saturday, May 1, 2004, in Fr. Bill’s presence. They sat in the same pew in which they were married 50 years earlier — an extremely rare occurrence: same parish, same priest and the same pew. Later that evening, they were feted to an anniversary dinner at Anthony’s on the River by their three sons. Alice and Paul shared just shy of 65 years of marriage.

After marriage, Alice became a full-time homemaker and started a family. She and Paul raised three sons at St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church on the west side of Youngstown, which she joined in 1954. Alice’s father-in-law and mother-in-law, John and Katherine Giba, Slavic immigrants, were founding members of St. Mary’s.

Alice was honored in 2025 as one of four women over 90 years of age at St. Mary’s 125th anniversary celebration. Her life was a testament to her strong faith, devotion to her family and dedication to her church

Alice and Paul built a beautiful home in Austintown, where they raised their family. They were very passionate about maintaining their home and yard. They loved gardening together and planted a large vegetable garden, sharing their bounty with their family, friends and neighbors. They also enjoyed hosting many holiday celebrations and family picnics there.

Alice is survived by her sons, Atty. Paul R. Giba of Lake Milton and Kenneth F. Giba of Austintown, with whom she made her home; three grandchildren, Alexis (Brennen) Kelly of Elkins, W. Va., Gillian (Nicholas) Hepp of Thornburg, Virginia, and Jack W. Giba of Durham, North Carolina; and two great-granddaughters, Quinlyn R. and Finley M. Kelly, both of Elkins.

Besides her parents, Alice was preceded in death by her husband, Paul W.; son Gary G.; six brothers and sisters-in-law, Louis (Louise) Slepski, Walter Slipski, Adam (Lucille), Chester (Luella) Slepski and John (Winifred) Slipski and the Rev. William P. Slipski; and sisters and brothers-in-law, Frances (Michael) Luchansky and Eleanor (Paul Luchansky). Two sisters are also deceased, Stella, who died as an infant, and Irene, who died at birth. Alice also was preceded in death by six brothers-in-law and their wives, Michael (Anna), John, Joseph (Helen), Andrew (Eugenia), Frank (Josephine) and Frank David Giba, who died as an infant; and four sisters-in-law and their husbands, Mary (Paul) Thomas, Ann (Joseph) Wikete, Helen (Andrew) Shellesky and Kathryn (Paul) Sovik.

Family and friends may call 4 to 7 p.m., Monday, April 20, at Kinnick Funeral Home, 477 N. Meridian Road, Youngstown.

Funeral services will begin 10:15 a.m. Tuesday, April 21, at the funeral home and will continue at 11 a.m. with a Divine Liturgy at St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church, 356 S. Belle Vista Ave., Youngstown, officiated by the Rev. John J. Welch.

Interment will follow in the Giba family plot at the parish cemetery, 128 S. Schenley Ave.

Alice’s family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Dr. Charles Wilkins and the entire staff of Briarfield Manor for their compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to St. Mary’s Church.

Visit kinnickfuneralhome.com to share memories and to send condolences to Alice’s family.

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