Alice Nolan Chagaris

Alice Nolan Chagaris, 85, of Charlotte, NC, passed away Wednesday, April 22, 2026. Born in Chicago, IL January 24, 1941. She was the daughter of John and Alice Barlow Nolan.

Alice was well traveled as a child following her father, a construction foreman for Erie Electric that built power plants, around the United States. She attended over 13 schools before attending boarding school at Notre Dame High School in Greensboro, NC. She continued her education in Charlotte, NC at The Mercy School of Nursing.

Alice worked at Mercy Hospital in the emergency room for almost 20 years, rising to head nurse. Alice took a break from nursing to help run her husband’s business, The Best Ice Cream Company, a staple of Charlotte for over 31 years. Following Georges passing, she returned to nursing as a correctional nurse at the Mecklenburg County Jail. Alice left working at the jail to work in acute patient care at Wesley Nursing Center. While working at Wesley she transitioned to being Nurse Manager of the Alzheimer unit where she retired in 2003.

Alice loved reading, playing cards and outings with her friends and family, doing puzzles, her pets, gardening, flowers, and nature. She always had a dog in her life. An avid reader, she was well schooled on most of any topic. She was very direct, told it like it was, and had a very quirky sense of humor. If Alice had a mantra in life, it was helping others, it was who she was. She loved her family and her granddaughters, who quickly replaced her children as her the most important people in her life. Family gatherings were a favorite activity where everyone was there for food, laughing, and storytelling.

Alice became a member of The Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral when she was married. As a member she volunteered at the Greek Festival in multiple ways. She worked in the first aid area for many years. Alice also volunteered in the kitchen baking the sweets, and enjoying the camaraderie with other members, in preparation for the festival.

Alice is survived by her son, Christopher Chagaris; daughter, Cheryl Swain, and her husband Tim; grandchildren: Catherine and Nicole Chagaris, and Claire Swain; niece, Nola Rave. George and Patricia Raad, who were family by choice. There are too many close friends from high school, nursing school, work and church to name.

The family would like to give special thanks to Tim and Pam Hagar. They helped look after her whenever she needed anything. They were more than neighbors and went above and beyond the call. The help they provided allowed Alice to live her final years more on her own terms. The family would also like to thank the nursing staff at Atrium Mercy and Levine Dixon Hospice House for their Care and Kindness.

A visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. with a service at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 27, 2026 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral. A graveside service will follow at Evergreen Cemetery, Charlotte, NC.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude at stjude.org, and Holy Trinity Cathedral Foundation, https://htgo.org/give-now/.

Feel free to leave the family your condolences via the guestbook provided.