Alice F. DiMeglio

Alice Fernandes (Britto) DiMeglio, 88, of Mankato passed away on April 16, 2022.

She was the loving wife of John (d. 2018) for 63 years and sister to, Marie (Sager), Anne (Drabic), and John Britto; devoted mother to daughter, Jean Anne (Doug) Willaert, and sons, Michael (Tina), Joseph (Kathy), Stephen, Mark (Sarah), and Andrew; grandmother to 11, Elizabeth, Josiah, Anthony, Rachel, Bryon, Jasmyn, Gideon, Samantha, Cole, Shaye, and Nicolas; and great-grandmother to 4, Noah, Preston, Micah, and Verity.

Born on June 28, 1933, in Palmerton, PA, to Portuguese immigrants, Joaquim F. and Ibraina (Beirao) Britto, Alice graduated from Palmerton High School before earning an undergraduate degree from Kutztown State Teachers College, where she met John. After marriage and a short stint as an elementary teacher, Alice gave birth to six kids over eight years. When the family moved to Mankato in 1968, she became Minnesota Lake’s first kindergarten teacher before transferring to Mapleton. She was a finalist for Minnesota Teacher of the Year in 1988 and retired in 1998.

Alice loved traveling. Highlights included a journey to Australia, multiple trips to Europe, cherished annual summer visits with family in Pennsylvania, and visiting all 50 states. She enjoyed being active, whether it was going for coffee with beloved neighbors, seeing the latest play at the university, being a prayer leader at her church, eating with the lunch bunch, or keeping track of her large family. She also attended hundreds of sporting events with John to watch her children participate.

Although she often spoke fondly of her childhood in Palmerton, she fell in love with Mankato and its people.

She is remembered for her love of koalas; her marvelous personality, including a big smile and frequent, genuine laugh; her love for teaching and children of all ages; her love for reading and music; her masterful cooking of Italian dishes such as lasagna, manicotti and (giant!) ravioli; and for being the heart of her family.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m., June 23, 2022, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Mankato. A reception will follow the service at the church.  Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Mankato. Mankato Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that if you wish to honor Alice, please donate to your local public school or library.

The live stream link below is a complimentary service provided by Mankato Area Funeral Homes. Unforeseen technical, internet, facility, and/or acoustical circumstances may produce a diminished end product. Please note, if the live stream does not appear, we are attempting to record and publish the service for later viewing.