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Our precious Mother, Grandmother, Aunt and Friend, Alice "Licha" Ward, began her beautiful journey into the light of our Lord on Tuesday, May 19, 2009. She was born December 23, 1923 in Mapimi, Durango, Mexico. She passed away peacefully surrounded by her children, grandchildren, great grandchild and nephews. She was known as "Nana" to her grandchildren and all of their friends and was the life and grace of all events she attended. Her spirit filled every room and she always danced the night away. Alice attended St. Joseph's Academy also known as St. Joske's in downtown San Antonio. During this time she, her sister Lupe and a group of other girls would run out of the school during their lunch break and run to the USO to dance with the GI's. This went on until one of the nuns at St. Joseph's figured it out and promptly put a stop to it. Alice met the love of her life Joseph A. Ward, Sr. shortly after he had returned home from the war. Though she was on a blind date with another soldier, when Joe saw Alice he knew she was the one for him. This started the dance of their lifetime which lasted 58 years. Alice gave birth to three children Joseph, Elizabeth and Patricia. Alice spent much of her early life studying the piano and was being groomed to attend a music conservatory. She was very creative and studied painting and leaves behind many beautiful works of art. Alice is also responsible for designing and sewing many intricate ball gowns and costumes for her children and grandchildren. During the '60s and '70s she spent much of her life as a retailer at Frank Brothers, Wolff & Marx and Joske's of Texas where she was a lady of style and taught many young women the tricks to a great wardrobe. Along with her husband Joe, they would attend and support as many athletic games and fine arts performances of their children and grandchildren. Alice was sometimes coined as the "oldest groupie" at her grandson, Joseph's, rock concerts on 6th Street in Austin, Texas. She became "Nana" not only to her grandchildren but to hundreds of other children and teens during her lifetime. During her final weeks, Alice held her rosary given to her by her dear friend and travel companion, Lucy, who had passed just 3 weeks before. The two were a dynamic pair, and along with their husbands would spend weeks traveling and dancing, which they are surely all doing now in heaven. "No hay mal, por que bien no venga" is something Alice would always tell her family and friends to comfort them. This simply means: when something bad happens to you, there is always good that comes to you as well. Alice never failed to say "God bless you," or "Vaya con Dios," every time someone left her side. Her prayers were strong and her belief in everlasting life even stronger. On the day before she died, Alice continued to say, "I believe, I believe," which were her last words. Her unwavering faith shines through her words and she is undoubtedly with the Lord. Her grace, wisdom and amazing attitude toward life and her family leave a legacy that is unforgettable. Alice is preceded in death by her husband, Joseph A. Ward, Sr., her parents Manuel and Manuela Barbosa Prince, her brothers Perfecto, Alfonso, Valeriano, Manuel, twin brother Guillermo and Segundo Prince. She is survived by her sister Lupita Reyes, children Joseph A. Ward, Jr., Elizabeth Ward Moore, Patricia Ward King, grandchildren Rachel Ramsay Young, Donna and Keith Brune, Joseph and Katrina, Jonathan, Cassandra and Priscilla King, Elise and Hasan Tawfiq, Ryan Ward and great grandchildren Kole and Chase Brune and Myla Tawfiq. She is also survived by many beloved nephews and nieces. Rosary and visitation will be Friday from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Mission Park Funeral Chapels North, 3401 Cherry Ridge, San Antonio, TX 78230. Mass will be Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, 700 Dewhurst Rd., San Antonio, TX 78213, followed by internment at Ft. Sam Houston. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Alice's name to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org, or to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org.

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Alice V. Ward

December 23, 1923 - May 19, 2009