Alyce Jean Nelson

Alyce Jean (O'Keefe) (Ponce) Nelson was born in Boston, MA to parents Sarah (Eldridge) O'Keefe and Eugene O'keefe. Alyce grew up in the Boston area with her mom, dad, brother Gene O'keefe, grandparents, and many aunts, uncles and cousins. After graduating from Burlington high school in 1956 she began working for John Hancock Insurance in Boston. Later that year the family house burned down and her parents decided to relocate to the west coast, Oxnard, CA., to be near her mothers parents.

She began a job at McMahon's furniture store in Oxnard where she met her first husband, Raymond Ponce. They married in 1960 and had three beautiful sons: Michael, Richard, and Robert. The marriage ended shortly after that. In 1970 she met and married the love of her life, John Nelson, who committed his life to her and her three sons. In December 1971 they had a son, John Nelson Jr. This week Alyce and John would have celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary.

She is survived by her husband, John Nelson, brother, Gene O'Keefe, and three sons; Mike Ponce (and Linda), Rick Ponce, John Nelson Jr. (and Brenda). Seven grandchildren: Cory Hart (and Brandon), Bobbie Mc Barron (and Jake), Stephanie Salazar (and Daniel), Chris Ponce, Alyssa Nelson, William Nelson, and Jasmine Nelson. One of her greatest joys was to welcome six great grandchildren into her heart: Jordan Mc Barron, Emily Mc Barron, Marley Hart, Brooklyn Hart, Aarron Salazar, and Jaxon Salazar. She is preceded in death by her beloved son Bobby in 1983.

Alyce met her husband, John, at the Oxnard Moose Lodge, Where she had been an active member since 1963. Early on she fell in love with the fraternal endeavors of the Moose program of tending to the needs of children in need at Mooseheart, IL., and the needs of seniors at Moosehaven, FL., as well as the community services in Oxnard. She excelled as chairman of many committees, held all elected offices, including Senior Regent. She proudly earned her Academy of Friendship, Star Recorder and College of Regent degrees. She achieved her life membership after 50 years of membership in 2013. She never once regretted the cooking, cleaning, meeting, clown club, organizing, camping, and community service over the years. Her life long co-workers (both past and present) are her legacy to her beloved Moose Fratenity... God Bless Mooseheart and Moosehaven.

Alyce truly felt blessed... She loved her childhood upbringing, her east coast history, her California adulthood, her family and many friends. When thinking about her life she said "what more could you ask for"?

It is with great sadness and hope that we say our earthly goodbye to wife, sister, mother, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother, niece, cousin and friend.