Alice 'Joy' Soares' Obituary
BELOVED WIFE AND MOTHER
ALICE JOYCE “JOY” (ALLEN) SOARES
1929 – 2012
A lifelong resident of San Bernardino Joy was born on Flag Day, as a child her father used to tell her the flags were to help celebrate her birthday. She grew up happy and vivacious and in high school enjoyed being a pom-pom girl, acting in school plays, bowling and roller skating with her friends and was a member of the Civil Air Patrol.
After high school she worked at The Harris Company in the gift wrap department, continuing to work there while she was first married and until starting a family, at which time she devoted herself to being a full time homemaker. She enjoyed years of boating and camping with her family and visited many beautiful vacation spots. She had an artistic flair and excelled at tole painting and other craft projects. She loved to decorate her home and shop for clothes, shoes and antiques, work crossword puzzles, read, listen to music, dance and watch old movies. When her youngest child was in Grammar School she joined a bowling league and continued to bowl in various leagues and tournaments until illness finally forced her to quit.
When her husband decided to begin racing boats, she supported him in this endeavor by becoming his boat launcher, pit crew and scorer, and travelling with him across the country while he participated in the sport. She later went on to become Chief Scorer for the boat club in which her husband and sons also raced.
During her lifetime she made and maintained many friendships, some which began in Junior High School. One dear friend, Betty Miller, with whom she lunched nearly every Tuesday for years, continued to visit and bring lunch to her at home every week when illness finally prevented them from dining out.
Joy passed away peacefully at home following ten years of declining health due to Alzheimer’s. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Larry Soares, daughter Julie Soares, son Tim Soares and his wife Frankie, son John Soares, four grandchildren and three great grandchildren. She was pre deceased by her parents and brother.
Generous, gentle and kind by nature, she believed in living by the Golden Rule, and lovingly and unselfishly devoted her life to her husband, her family, her friends and her cats.
She will be forever in our hearts. She was laid to rest privately at Riverside National Cemetery. Condolences may be sent on-line at www.bobbittchapel.com.
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