Alice I. (Witt) Presti

Alice Irene (Witt) Presti of Waltham passed away peacefully with her family at her side at Maristhill Nursing Home in Waltham on Saturday, May 23, 2026. She was 85.

Born September 12, 1940 in Walker, Kansas, Alice was the daughter of the late Herman and Clara (Wittman) Witt. She graduated from Gorham High School and carried the strong values of her Kansas roots throughout her life.

After high school, Alice moved with her friend to Colorado to experience a new place and meet new people. It turns out that it was the perfect place to find the perfect person. While in Colorado, Alice met her soulmate, Joseph P. Presti, at the USO lounge while he was stationed at Lowry Air Force Base. They married in Denver, Colorado, lived there briefly, and then returned to Waltham, where they raised their beloved only son, Gerald S. Presti. Alice and Joe shared a devoted marriage filled with love, family, and shared adventures until Joe’s passing in 2025.

Alice enjoyed a long and successful career, running the accounting department and rising to the level of CFO at Mass Polymer Corp. in Newton. She never lost that edge as an astute businesswoman who approached life with dignity, integrity and grace. Her house was where everyone gathered at holidays, and she nourished the hearts and souls of her family and friends with her kindness, laughter and beloved chicken noodle soup. Alice always made sure you knew that you were loved, you weren’t alone, and most importantly- that your belly was full. Of all her accomplishments, nothing meant more to Alice than her family. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who cherished every moment with her loved ones.

She leaves her sister, Twila Froelich of Hays, Kansas; her grandchildren, Shayla Presti of Waltham and Derek Presti (Isamar) of Rialto, California; and her great-grandchildren, Sofia Mazzella, Nina Mazzella, Belial Mazzella, Benedetto Presti, and Lorenzo Agradano. She also leaves many nieces, nephews, cousins, and their families.

Alice was predeceased by her beloved husband, Joseph P. Presti; her son, Gerald “Jerry” Scott Presti; her parents, Herman and Clara (Wittman) Witt; her brothers, Harold Joseph Witt, Robert “Bud” Witt, and Don Witt; and her sisters, Doris Dreiling and Betty Ann Wall.

Family and friends will honor and remember Alice’s life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Monday, June 8, 2026 from 4 to 7 p.m. and again at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, June 9 before leaving in procession to Saint Mary’s Church, 133 School St., Waltham, where her funeral mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Mount Feake Cemetery, Waltham.