Alice Pepin

Alice Marie Pepin, Stillwater, MN, passed away on Sunday, June 27, 2021, at home with her husband Marc Hugunin and many family to love and support her. She was 69 years of age.

Alice was born on March 9, 1952, to Emil and Lorraine (Voges) Pepin in Long Prairie, MN. She experienced modern conveniences like indoor plumbing and running water when she became a “townie” at age 5. Alice’s life was rich with the freedom and independence of farm and Marsmall-town living. She made many friends and enjoyed a large, loving extended family. She was grateful for the solid foundation she received in childhood and for the many opportunities she had in life. Like most Minnesotans, Alice grew up to be above average with nice hair, a big pearly-white smile and a ready laugh.

Alice graduated from Long Prairie High School, St. Cloud State University and Bowling Green State University. She fell in love with her husband Marc Hugunin, whom she married on a beautiful, sunny day in Long Prairie on August 20, 1977. She worked for the State of Minnesota, the University of Minnesota, Hazelden Foundation and other organizations in public relations and communications, and as an owner of her own public relations companies.

Alice was perhaps best known for her sense of humor. She enjoyed photography, birdwatching, gardening, music and the great outdoors. Alice and Marc traveled to Norway, Germany, Switzerland, China and Panama, and climbed many of the shimmering mountains of Glacier National Park. But, mostly they were happy spending time together and with their cats at their home in Grant, MN, where they lived for 30 wonderful years before again becoming “townies” in Stillwater in 2020.

Alice  became a friend of Bill W. in 1984 and remained in successful recovery for almost 38 years. The AA program suited her and she sought to incorporate the meaning of the Serenity Prayer into her daily life. She also loved the saying, “Everyone has two lives. The second begins when you realize that you only have one.” Alice faced breast cancer in 2011 and open heart surgery in 2017. She was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic melanoma in 2016, but it took her from us only after four-and-a-half years of continued graceful living. It never conquered her love of life and of her family and her many, many friends, nor her sense of humor, nor her gratefulness for the many blessings that she enjoyed.

Alice was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved sister Lois and many wonderful aunts and uncles and cousins. She is survived by her husband; cat Sunny; brothers David (Jan), Helena, MT, Jim (Elaine), Elk River, MN, and John (Sylvia), Blaine, MN; aunts Lillian Voges and Rosie Voges; ten nieces and nephews (Angie [Pepin] Selzer, Elizabeth [Johnson] Buckingham, Kate Pepin, Sara (Johnson) Baker; Alex, Chris, Craig and Ed Pepin, and Josh and Michael Gumiela); and eight beautiful grand-nieces and great-nephews; and many cousins including Teri Pepin, Lake City, a retired nurse who helped both Alice and Marc through some of their health issues.

Alice wanted to express her gratitude to the many wonderful health care professionals who helped her to enjoy four-and-a-half years of life after her diagnosis. She was also always grateful for the support of her family and friends and especially that of her husband Marc.