CARDENAS, Alice Ann

Alice Ann Cardenas 11/29/1949 – 4/08/2010 Alice Ann Cardenas passed away peacefully on April 8, 2010 with her husband, Jose, at her side. She passed from this life to our Lord's arms after unexpected complications arising from pneumonia. Alice was a long-time resident of San Diego and had moved to Tucson in 2006 following a difficult fight against cancer. She was a bright light to all who knew her and brought joy and comfort to many. After college, Alice served an internship at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles and received her license as a Medical Technologist, a field that she dearly loved throughout her career. Later in life, her love of nature and God's creations took her into the study of Geology, where she received a Master's degree at San Diego State University in 1995. She maintained her interest and activities in both laboratory science and geology afterwards. In addition to these professional interests, Alice was also an avid collector. Apart from other collections, her current interest was in collecting unique dolls and accessories. She had assembled a large collection of dolls from the 1950's era to current releases. She also had a lifetime interest in crafts including cross-stitching, knitting and quilting. Many friends and relatives were blessed to have received hand-made items from Alice since they were made not only with cloth and thread, but also with love. A constant effort by Alice throughout her adult life was to help spread her good fortune with others. Throughout several decades, she made a diligent effort to provide continuing support to children, seminarians, the retired religious and the elderly by donating on a regular basis to several international organizations. Through this time, she helped over 50 individuals in the United States and abroad with continuing support for education, food and shelter, health services and retirement. She frequently would receive letters from her supported friends in Latin and South America, India, the Middle East, and Asia telling her what a difference her support made in their lives. She was especially gratified to learn that her support led to the education and commissioning of two priests and four nuns, as well as the graduation of several young students that would not have otherwise had the educational opportunity in these needy areas. After her battle with cancer in 2004, Alice and her best friend, Margaret, took a very memorable trip to Paris, where she fulfilled a long-time desire to see the city and surrounding areas with all of the history and vibrant life that is Paris. With her kind and gentle soul, Alice would naturally be drawn to religious activities. She was a Eucharistic Minister at Good Shepherd Parish in San Diego and is also an Oblate of Saint Benedict. She had a strong prayer life and spent many nights praying for the healing of others, especially those with cancer. Translating her prayer life into action, she and her husband started a small company that is currently operating in Tucson, Arizona focused on providing services and products for researchers studying biological and medical problems. She was also instrumental in establishing the Quality System at a related company that also currently operates in Tucson. Alice is survived by her husband of 32 years, Jose; her sister, Linda; nephew, Steve and his family from San Diego, best and life-long friend, Margaret also of San Diego, and her entire Tucson family. A Funeral Mass will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 24, 2010 at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church located at 1300 N. Greasewood Road in Tucson, Arizona, followed by a Catholic burial at Holy Hope Cemetery. Arrangements are through BRING'S MEMORIAL CHAPEL at 236 South Scott Avenue, Tucson, AZ. Published in the Tucson Newspapers on April 18, 2010