Alice Foster Paradise, a medical technologist and church ministry leader, died of cancer Jan. 5 at University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Medical Center. The Fallston resident was 78.

Born in Baltimore and raised in Govans and Northwood, she was the daughter of Marion William “Bill” Foster, a machinist, and his wife, Hope, a Peterson Howell and Heather auto leasing clerical worker. She was a 1963 graduate of Eastern High School.

She met her future husband, James Paradise, when she was 14 years old and he was 16 at a youth fellowship event at Govans United Methodist Church.

“Alice was the kind of person who made friends easily,” said her husband. “She was caring and personable.”

She earned a chemistry degree at the University of Maryland College Park and joined the Baltimore City Health Department as a medical technologist. She later analyzed blood samples at MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital and MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center. She retired in 2012.

She and her husband moved to Fallston nearly 53 years ago. She joined the Bel Air United Methodist Church and became active in its social concerns ministry.

“She never hesitated to respond when there was someone in need,” said a family friend, Laura Coleman.

Mrs. Paradise also took yoga classes at the Fallston Recreation Center and played bocce, where she competed with neighbors.

“One thing that would get her heart racing was watching her sons and grandkids competing in sports,” said Coleman. “She was their biggest fan.”

Mrs. Paradise was a traveler and owned a timeshare for visits to Hawaii and throughout the U.S. She also liked cruising in the Caribbean and did ziplining.

“I wouldn’t do it. I was a chicken. She was adventurous,” her husband said. “Heights did not bother her.”

She also attended outdoor concerts and dancing at the old Hunt Valley Mall.

Mrs. Paradise enjoyed her time in the family kitchen. Her favorite meals were spaghetti, steaks and on special occasions, filet mignon. Her favorite restaurants included Boston Seafood, Pappas Restaurant and Vince’s Crab House and Seafood.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Jan. 11 at the Bel Air United Methodist Church, 21 Linwood Ave. in Bel Air.

Survivors include her husband of 56 years, James Paradise, a Northrop Grumman aerospace engineer; two sons, Andrew Paradise of Perry Hall and Todd Paradise of Towson; and three grandchildren.

Have a news tip? Contact Jacques Kelly at jacques.kelly@baltsun.com and 410-332-6570.