Submitted by: Dan Rich
Alyce Elizabeth Bruce
Nov. 1, 1914 - Nov. 22, 2008
South Bend Tribune 11/23/2008
SOUTH BEND - Alyce Elizabeth Bruce 94, formerly of
Orkney Drive, South Bend, passed away at 3:12 a.m. on Saturday,
November 22, 2008, in Caring Junction. Alyce was born on November
1, 1914, in Kankakee, IL, to Frank and Edna Norris. Mrs.
Bruce was a 68-year member of the First Christian Church, and was
the vocalist in their choir for many years and active with the
Christian Women Fellowship. In her high school days, she was a
wonderful vocalist and the lead in several high school plays. She
was a member of the Phi Beta Psi Sorority for over 50 years; the
vocalist for the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 569; was
active in the St. Joseph Valley Bridge Association, Mishabend
Bridge Association; and was a charter member and past president
of the Avalon Grotto Auxiliary. Before losing her eyesight, Alyce
was an avid duplicate bridge player and did a lot of sewing,
knitting, crocheting, needlepoint and numerous crafts, always
being selected to make centerpieces for different organizations.
Alyce was a voracious reader, and after losing her eyesight she
listened to hundreds of Books on Tapes from every library in the
area, and just a few months before her death switched to
listening to music.
On June 10, 1934, in Kankakee, IL, as Alyce
Norris, she married C. Eldon Bruce. Her beloved husband, who had
been her caretaker for several years, was unfortunately killed in
a car accident by a drunk driver on March 29, 2003, just a few
months shy of their 70th wedding anniversary. They had been
residents of South Bend since 1940. She was also preceded in
death by her three brothers, Marion Norris, Everett Norris and
Shirley "Chuck" Norris. Surviving are her daughters,
Valerie (Dan) Kelver of South Bend and Norrine (Arthur) McCune
of Granger; and her son, Norris (Catherine) Bruce of Mishawaka.
She is also survived by seven grandchildren, Elizabeth (Rick) Schneider
of Granger, Kenneth Bruce of South Bend, Angela (Bryan) Hall
of Granger, Michael (Margaret) Kelver of South Bend, Mark (Dina) Waters
and Dan Waters of Los Angeles, CA, and Kathleen (Stuart) MacFarlane
Waters of Manhattan Beach, CA; and 12 great-grandchildren. She is
also survived by a brother-in-law, Floyd Bruce of Indianapolis,
several nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank her
caregivers at Caring Junction, Risa, Jillian, Randora and Marion,
for all of their help over the past five years and eight months.
They also want to thank The Center for Hospice and Palliative
Care for being so wonderful over the past few weeks.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m.
on Tuesday, Nov. 25, in the Palmer Funeral Home-River Park, 2528
Mishawaka Avenue, South Bend, where Dr. William Wassner will
officiate. Friends may visit with the family after 11 a.m. in the
funeral home on Tuesday. Graveside services will follow at IOOF
Cemetery, Kewanna. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in
Alyce's name to The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc.,
111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637.