Alyce Fletcher 's Obituary
Our beloved mom, Alyce Fletcher, left this earth on Monday, December 16, 2013, in Tacoma, Washington. She is now at peace and back with Dad. Our hearts ache, but we are blessed to know she is no longer suffering from the effects of Parkinson’s Disease. She is predeceased by her husband Frank William Fletcher (US Navy and IBEW Local 76). Alyce was born in Seattle, Washington on February 10, 1937, to Thomas Tecumseh Colby and Marion Ann Goff (Colby/Garney). She is survived by her children, Scott Carman Fletcher (Pat Fletcher), Ray Fletcher, Eric Fletcher (Yvonne Guerin), and Mariann Fletcher Solkey (Tobin Solkey), her brother Wally Colby (Jodi Colby) from West Seattle, and her cousins Sara Whinery (Carl Whinery), Lawrence (Larry) Harnden, Jr. (Su), and Alan Harnden.
She is also survived by her grandchildren Chelsea Fletcher, Samantha Fletcher (US Army), Marquelle Butler (PJ), Brandon Fletcher (Satre), Michael Fletcher and Steven Fletcher (US Marines), and her great-grandchildren, Mara Meisberger, Gracelyn Meisberger, and little Easton Butler. Also surviving her are many nieces, nephews, cousins, and life-long friends Fred and Sharon Hjelseth.
Alyce was a 1955 graduate of Queen Anne High School in Seattle. Soon after graduation she married Charles Carman, and they had Scott in 1957. Chuck passed away in a plane crash in 1959, just before Scott turned 2. Through life-long friends of the family she met our dad, Frank Fletcher, and they married July 29, 1960. They had Ray in 1961, Eric in 1963, and Mariann in 1968. Mom always wanted four children, and we were all with her through her final days.
She worked for 27 years at IBEW Local 76 Federal Credit Union in Tacoma as an Administrative Assistant. She knew just about everyone by voice and member number. After she retired some members had to learn their account numbers.
Through mom and dad’s life-long friends Fred and Sharon Hjelseth, they became involved with the Sons of Norway in Tacoma, WA (Norden 2). After dad’s passing and her retirement, mom was able to spend more time with her grandchildren, devote more time to her passion for sewing, became heavily involved with the lodge and embark on a nine year tenure as social director. She spent many long hours taking care of lodge events.
She supported dad through the soccer years in the 1970s, and she supported all of us kids when we had sports, work, family or extra-curricular activities either by being there, making us able to attend, or contributing something needed. Mom was an avid reader and loved sewing. She attended sewing classes at Bates Technical College for more than 25 years, and enjoyed many experiences with the ‘sewing class ladies.’ Fabric buying trips were a special treat she loved. She always made sure she had good bags with her to bring her treasures home in. But never refer to her as a ‘quilter,’ she was too young to be called that.
After retirement, she was able to spend a lot more time with grandsons Michael and Steven. When they needed her while Ray worked long hours, she was there every time. Her involvement and work at the lodge also afforded her more time with the boys as they became the lodge dishwashers for the breakfasts and socials. She was very proud of Steven for his service in the US Marine Corp, and was very relieved at his safe return after two tours of duty in Afghanistan. And, she was given the joy of being able to see Michael regularly this past year as he works in food services at Tacoma Lutheran Home where she was living.
When Eric’s life brought him back to us, Mom never looked back. She was proud of him and enjoyed seeing his life evolve and progress. A special time for him was when Mom was able to travel with us to be there when Eric and Yvonne married in Las Vegas in April 2010. He was a recipient of her encouragement constantly.
She became a ‘NALS Mom’ while attending meetings, events, conferences, and traveling with Mariann to places such as Hawaii, Albequerque, New York, Washington DC, Virginia, South Carolina, and Tennessee. While in Tennessee we were able to attend the Grand Ole Opry (a dream of hers) twice in one night. During our trip to New York City and Albequerque, Mom searched around, and actually found places to, of all things, buy fabric!
These are just a few examples of the wonderful person our mom was, and there are many more memories we will cherish.
We want to extend a very heartfelt thank you to the staff who took great care of mom at Tacoma Lutheran Retirement Community. A special thank you to Vivian and Eboni for their kindness, care, and sense of humor. We couldn’t have asked for two more wonderful people to care for our mom.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 28, 2013, at 1:00 p.m., at Normanna Hall, 1106 S. 15th Street, Tacoma, Washington. There will be food and a display of memories and some of her projects. Please come by and eat, visit, peruse the displays and celebrate her life.
What’s your fondest memory of Alyce ?
What’s a lesson you learned from Alyce ?
Share a story where Alyce 's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Alyce you’ll never forget.
How did Alyce make you smile?