Alyce Grillet

Alyce Grillet

GrilletA 8x10 cover ang scaled

Alyce Victorine Grillet died at the age of 47 at her home in Alexandria, Virginia, Friday, Jan. 4, 2019, of metastatic colon cancer. Alyce was born Alice Odile Grillet on March 11, 1971 in Topeka, Kansas, to Pierre A. and Mireille P. Grillet. After her mother passed away in 1976, she and her sister Anne grew up with their father in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Alyce graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School in 1989 and continued her education at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Studio Arts in 1993. She later went back to school to earn her Master of Science Degree in Strategic Human Resource Management and a Graduate Certificate in Organizational Leadership from Chapman University, Whidbey Island, Washington, in 2006.
​Alyce enlisted in the U. S. Navy in Jan. 1998. Her first duty station was Naval Air Station, Lemoore, California, Sept. 1999, as a Ground Electronics Technician. She was commissioned as a naval officer Feb. 2001. In May 2001, she reported to Strike Fighter Squadron 22 (VFA-22), again in Lemoore, California, where she was assigned as Material Control Officer (MCO) and Quality Assurance Officer (QAO) and made two deployments totaling 19 months on board USS Carl Vinson in support of the Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
​Over her career, Alyce served in a variety of roles in the Aviation Maintenance Community, including Assistant Maintenance Officer, Maintenance Material Control Officer, Assistant Officer in Charge and Detailer & Community Manager where she supported F/A-18, C-9 and C-130 aircraft squadrons. She was promoted to the rank of Commander in 2016 and reported to the Commander Fleet Readiness Center at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, where she served as Personnel Military Director. Her last assignment was as Officer in Charge and Maintenance Officer at the Fleet Readiness Center Mid-Atlantic Detachment Washington at Joint Base Andrews.
​In her nearly 20 years of service, Alyce lived throughout the continental United States but built community primarily in Memphis, Norfolk and Northern Virginia/DC. She leaves behind a jaw-dropping collection of personal artwork, focusing in her later years in the medium of permanent marker on canvas. She was a prolific reader of non-fiction, specifically “geeking out” on relationship psychology as game theory, and the spiritual identifying as a Chaos-magic Buddhist. She was a community organizer in Memphis and Norfolk and taught classes in Relationship Dynamics and Non-Violent Communication. She helped lead Naval Air Systems Command’s Patuxent River LGBTQIA+ Advisory Team.
​She is survived by her son, Bryce A. Grillet; father, Pierre A. Grillet, in Cape Canaveral, Florida; younger sister, Anne M. Grillet; niece, Julia R. Schiek; nephew, Harrison R. Schiek, in Albuquerque New Mexico; half-sister, Marie-Helene Grillet, in Lyon, France; half-brother, Pierre-Francis Grillet, in Sydney, Australia; and many loved ones and friends.
​A visitation of her ashes will be held Sunday, Jan. 13, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., at Cunningham Turch Funeral Home, 811 Cameron St, Alexandria, Virginia. A flag folding and presentation will take place at 2:00 p.m., performed by NAF Washington Honor Guard and Captain Chris Couch, followed by time to pay respects. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to OutServe-SLDN and the Semper Fi Fund, or to your local LGBTQIA charitable organization.
​Alyce’s ashes will interred this spring at Congressional Cemetery in Washington, D.C., and her memorial stone will read “Mother, Sister, Partner, Bisexual, Queer… All Should be Free to Love.”

Offer Condolence for the family of Alyce Grillet

Visitation

Cunningham Turch Funeral Home

811 Cameron St. Alex. Va 22314

01/13/2019

2:00pm - 4:00pm

Condolence Messages

  1. Mark Kennet says:

    My sincere condolences. Alyce was one of my best and favorite students at Tulane, with a remarkable insight and a great problem-solving ability. I’m sorry I lost touch with her, but it sounds like she had a rich and varied life. May her memory be a blessing.

  2. Tim G says:

    Goodbye old friend! It was a strange twist of fate that we happened to meet as you were leaving 8th Grade at Newman, and became fast friends. Though I never met your father, and only passingly knew your younger sister, it was evident in how the Grillet family moved that your mother’s loss was still very much felt a decade later. You honored her spirit with the perfect mix of no-nonsense and good humor; developing a demure yet assertive character; an intellect that was both reflective yet aspirational; a karma that could be at once suspicious of others yet warm and accepting. It was my privilege watching you grow up and find your own way in the world, then reconnecting again as adults.
    The kind words of others written here about you come as no surprise, Alyce, nor does the long list of your accomplishments in both personal and professional settings. Blessings upon your loved ones and your child, for we have all lost a true gem with your passing.

  3. M. Weir says:

    Alyce,

    We never met nor spoke, but we both worked on some of the same NAVAIR teams in the recent years. Please know that your contributions have been significant and will appreciated well into the future by people who will never have had the pleasure of meeting or even knowing about you. You made a difference.

    Respectfully,

    M. Weir
    FRCSW
    San Diego, CA

    (Captain, USAF Reserve)

  4. Dave Taylor says:

    I had the privilege of being Alyce’s work partner and civilian co-lead at COMFRC Pax River for four months before she transferred. She was an energizing whirl of charisma, intellect and passion for life. I just learned of her passing today and I am profoundly sad; however, more grateful for the brief and special time with her. God bless and rest my friend.

  5. Monica White says:

    I worked With CDR at FRCMA Wash when she served as MMCO and then worked nearby her at staff command Norfolk VA; she was smart, funny, and always kind. I pass my deepest sympathies to her family – I lost my father to Colon Cancer, it is truly a devastating disease and I pray we one day find a cure to it, as well as all cancers.

  6. Becky Schaefer says:

    I had the opportunity to work on a team with her for a short time at Pax and her influence was great! I’m so grateful I took the opportunity to tell her how I felt about her impact to me and to so many that she touched with her open dialogue. She will be missed!

  7. Scott Glendening says:

    Anne and rest of family, I am sorry for your lost. I found out too late to attend the remembrance ceremony. I am going to light a candle and remember my time with her, as brief as it was. She was a special person and will be missed.

  8. Van Tran says:

    My heartfelt thoughts and prayers go to Alyce and her family. She has the same charismatic smile that I recognize from high school.

    God bless.

  9. Christy Cowart Read '89 says:

    On behalf of Ben Franklin High School and my fellow 1989 classmates, I send my deepest condolences. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficulty time.

  10. Jennifer Paty NCCM(SW)(CMC) USN Ret. says:

    Passing on our Condolences to CDR Grillet’s family.

    Thank you CDR for your leadership and your courage.

    Hand Salute. Fair Winds And Following Seas

  11. CDR Kim Pizanti says:

    Our condolences for a good shipmate. I enjoyed working alongside Alyce in the detailing shop. Prayers go out for her and her family.

  12. LARRY HAGAN says:

    To Alyce’s family: I am so proud to have had the pleasure of meeting Alyce Grillet. In our brief encounters, she was always very kind; she has served her country well and will be missed by many that served with her! I know the life of a loved one is so precious, I am very sorry for your loss.

    Peace be with you CDR Grillet

    V/R
    LT Hagan

  13. Nate Schneider, CAPT, USN says:

    Our deepest and sincere condolences to Alyce’s Family and Friends. Had the distinct pleasure to serve with her while Detailers in Millington, TN. She was a fine Naval Officer and a pleasant, kind soul. She will be be fondly remembered and her Family our in our Prayers.

  14. Shawn Fisher says:

    Alyce’s watch has ended, and ours has begun. Now we each are a living, loving legacy. We are testaments – to all she put out into the Universe and for the deeply sincere and chaotically compassionate catalyst she was to so many of us.

    May we all be free to love as Alyce loved, and know that it is good. Fair winds, Beloved Soul Sister.

  15. Lin Amendt says:

    Alyce, may your spirit find peace. I knew you only thru texts while you were I’ll, but your spirit of love for your son, Bryce, made a great impression on me. Glad I could help when I could. Watch over Bryce. Luv, Lin

  16. Andy Blevins says:

    Much love to you, CDR. Rest easy now, we have the watch — the OutServe-SLDN family

  17. Lisa Kove says:

    Alyce was a dear friend and colleague. She had a positive effect on everyone. She is already dearly missed. I see the list of places to contribute to, but would prefer if possible to contribute to a fund for her son Bryce.

    If anyone knows of how I can contribute to a fund for Bryce directly or send a bond that will help with his college someday please let me know.

  18. CDR Rob Vohrer says:

    Alyce, Thank you for your dedicated service to our nation and your leadership of our most precious resource, Sailors. Prayers to your family in this difficult time. RIP Shipmate, we have the watch.

  19. Robin Salanon says:

    I am so sorry to hear of CDR Grillet’s passing. I got to work with her a bit during her time at the Naval Air Station, Patuxentt River. She was a consummate professional, staunch advocate and a role model to all employees. My thoughts and prayers are with her family during this difficult time. I hope that as time passes and healing begins to occur that you are left with memories that warm your hearts.

  20. Tikva says:

    Alyce, you were loved by many and will be so very missed.

  21. jacqueline m Norris Johnston says:

    Thinking of Alyce and her family. Alyce was always pleasant and had a smile and quick wit. I enjoyed working with her at COMFRC.

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