Alden Morris Maier

Alden Morris “Gigi” Maier, peacefully entered heavenly rest February 11, 2025, surrounded by family. We are rejoicing that she has been reunited in heaven with the love of her life, her husband of 53 years, Herman Armin “Papa” Maier, III, her grandson, Tyler, and her parents. Gigi loved her family and friends deeply, and was loved by many whom she has touched and influenced over the course of her lifetime with her endearing personality, southern charm, playful sense of humor, and classic beauty. She was unforgettable to those who crossed her path, and was uplifting to everyone she encountered. One of her deepest passions was a life-long love for flowers and gardening, and she loved creating beauty for everyone in her life to enjoy.
Alden was born in Augusta on July 26, 1943, to William Shivers Morris, Jr., and Florence Hill Morris (Rickenbacker). She graduated Augusta Preparatory High School in 1961, and attended Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church with her family. She went on to attend Wesleyan College for two years before enrolling at the University of Georgia where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. After graduating from The University of Georgia in 1965, she moved to New York City where she attended Katherine Gibbs School and worked for NBC, prior to returning to Atlanta.
On April 4, 1970, she married Herman Armin Maier, III, of Atlanta. They moved to Rome to raise their family, where they were members of First Presbyterian Church for over 50 years. She was also an affiliate member of St. Simons Presbyterian Church for over 30 years. She was extremely active in the Rome community, leaving a lasting mark through her work on the Rome Streetscape Design Committee, Jr. Service League of Rome, including being a founding member of the infamous “Washboard Band,” ever consistent with her knack for creating fun in any situation. She was also a board member for the Rome Symphony Orchestra, Rome Symphony Auxiliary, and the founder of the RSO’s largest fundraiser, the Rome Symphony Debutante Ball, to which she was very dedicated. She was also a member of the National Society for the Colonial Dames Rome Town Committee, Darlington School Parents Association, Past President of the Seven Hills Garden Club, the Sea Island Gardening Group, an emeritus member of the State Botanical Garden of Georgia’s Board of Advisors, and a Trustee for both Darlington School and King College. She served on the Friends of the Rome Library Board of Directors, Floyd Medical Auxiliary, Open Door Home Board of Trustees, Georgia Women of Achievement Board of Trustees, and the Georgia Committee for the National Museum of Women in the Arts.
She is survived by her daughters, Alden Berkeley (Rob) Maier, of Raleigh, NC, and Haynesworth Maier (Justin) Studstill, of Lakeland, GA; stepson, Herman Armin (Karen) Maier, IV, of Mill Valley, California; her grandchildren, Alden Elizabeth Parsons, Anna Berkeley Parsons, Bowen Maguire Parsons, Lauren Alden Studstill, Annalee Morris Studstill, Benton Hill Studstill, and Georgia Marie Maier; her brothers, William Shivers “Billy” Morris, of Augusta, GA, and Charles Hill Morris, Sr., of Savannah, GA; and many nieces and nephews, whom she adored. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her grandson, Tyler Maier Studstill, her beloved sister-in-law, Mary Ellis “Sissie” Morris, and her stepson, John Ryman Maier.
Gigi will be deeply missed by so many whom she touched along her path of life. A Celebration of Life will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Rome, Georgia, Saturday, March 22, 2025, from 5 to 7 pm. Graveside services and interment were February 15, 2025, at the Studstill Family Memorial Garden and Cemetery in Lakeland, GA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, 2450 S. Milledge Ave., Athens, GA 30605, or First Presbyterian Church, 101 E. 3rd Ave., Rome, GA 30161.