Mary Alyce was born in Denver, Colorado, to William L. and Mary H. Feely. She was the youngest of five children who included Dorothea, William, Jr., Rita, and Phyllis and was predeceased by them. She adored all of her siblings and their families. Her mother raised Mary Alyce in Denver after her father, William, Sr., passed away when she was six months old while he was on duty as a firefighter for the Denver Fire Department. One never would have known her only memories of Daddy were of those portrayed to her by others; it was as if she had walked alongside him, as she would tell the story of his life. Her mother, Mary Helen, was also called to be with the Lord while Mary Alyce was yet a young teenager in the 1940s. Mary Alyce certainly did cling to the memories of her mother and those passed along to her about Daddy and was able to recount them with the utmost affection to her own children and grandchildren throughout her lifetime. Mary eventually came to California to live with relatives who became her caregivers/guardians upon her mother's passing. Denver, however, would always be "home", and as she raised her own family, she remained close to her family "back home". During her adult life, she raised her children primarily as a single parent. She was not a stranger to hard work and would do whatever was necessary to provide for her children. Prior to her retirement, she held a variety of positions from telephone operator to bartender to marine electrician on the docks of the San Pedro Harbor to beauty college instructor, as well as many other occupations in between while she continued her education in order to fulfill her lifelong love of teaching. It was not uncommon for her to work two jobs at a time while raising her family. Finally, however, she was able to enjoy her passion as she cherished many years as an instructor for Lyle's Colleges of Beauty where she was fondly referred to as "Weeza" by many of her students. Apparently, she reminded them of that particular character in the movie "Steel Magnolias"; she was always very proud of this fact. Although through continued education and hard work teaching eventually became her final career, she truly was a natural born teacher. She relished giving any kind of instruction, and would do so ever so patiently. Mary Alyce, also affectionately called "Little Mary" and "Mouse" by those closest to her, was most proud of her family, her faith, and her Irish heritage. She was such a proud mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, in addition to being a proud aunt to her many nieces and nephews. She knew of and bragged about every accomplishment, no matter how insignificant one may have thought it to be. Her family was her pride and joy and the apple of her eye. Mary's faith in and love of God and her appreciation of the Catholic Church sustained her throughout life's hardships and inspired her during the best of times. She has, without a doubt, passed this legacy on to her children and their families. Left to mourn her passing, while rejoicing in her Home going are her children: Duke Andrew Rescola (Edna); Karen Coughenour (Roger, Sr.); Karla Ayon; Margaret Aguilera; Colleen Miller (Max); Heather Rose Pressley; and Robert Rescola, her grandson whom she raised as her own. Additionally, 16 grandchildren and their spouses and 18 great grandchildren survive her. Her grandson, David Joel, preceded her in death in 2006, as well as her great granddaughter, Tuesday Noelle, in 2014. She will also be greatly missed by her close friends and her very special dogs that she loved dearly. A memorial service is scheduled for Thursday, March 19, 2015, at 6:00 p.m. at Peter's Funeral Home in Shafter, California.