Alice Heyman, a dedicated advocate for women’s rights, founding member of the First Women’s Bank of New York City, and former owner of the fabled Crown of the Andes, died peacefully in her New York City home on July 28, 2025, surrounded by her family and friends.
Born on June 3, 1938, Alice was the devoted daughter of the late Oscar and Gertrude (Shidlovsky) Heyman. She is survived by her loving brother, Michael Heyman, MD of Copenhagen, Denmark, many cousins of the Heyman, Cohen, and Judson families, and by Jun and Audrey Real, who became like family to Alice – caring for her during the last six years of her life.

Alice was a loyal graduate of the Ethical Culture Fieldston School (’55), Adelphi University, and attended the Gemological Institute of America. Alice devoted her life to championing gender equity and building institutions that empowered women. Her commitment to advancing the cause of women’s rights led her to participate in grassroots organizing, march in countless rallies, be active in politics, and work to establish community organizations. She was the NYS representative to the National Women’s Political Caucus in 1973, was a committed volunteer on the rape crisis team at New York Hospital, and was honored at the 2^nd Annual Women of Distinction event in 2016.

Alice inherited the storied Crown of the Andes from her father, the jeweler Oscar Heyman and subsequently placed the Crown at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, thereby ensuring its public availability in perpetuity. The Crown of the Andes is now a centerpiece of the exhibits in the American Wing of the Museum.

Beyond her activism, Alice cherished New York City’s institutions and its cultural life. She was a long-time benefactor of New York’s PBS channel, WNET, and a devoted member of Central Synagogue.

The funeral will be held at 11.30am, Riverside Memorial Chapel, 180 West 76^th Street, on Tuesday, August 5^th. Following the burial at New Mount Carmel Cemetery, shiva will be held at the Heyman residence, 5-8pm on Tuesday and Wednesday.