Alyce Vestal Cadwallader
Obituary
"Oh, how we will miss you" we whispered softly to our mother Alyce at her beside in her final hours. She hadn't spoken for days. Suddenly, she blurted out, "I haven't left yet!" Those were her last words. She embraced every day of her life, and didn't want to leave.
Sadly, 88-year-old Alyce Holland Vestal Caudill Cadwallader took her last breath in the early morning hours of July 7, 2023 following a recent illness.
So, what about all those last names? Alyce outlived 3 husbands. Everybody fell in love with Alyce. She was beautiful inside and out. Alyce was the whole package: brimming with love, intelligence, compassion, personality, creativity, charm, and spirit. Full of light and positivity. Never a mean word. Never a bad mood. Always up for a good time.
Alyce loved Music. She began vocal lessons at age 12. After participating in light opera productions at Santa Cruz High School (Class of 1952), she studied voice and music at San Jose State University. She sang with the Watsonville Presbyterian Church Choir, The Carmel Bach Festival, the Pajaro Valley Concert Association, at weddings, rodeos, receptions and more.
Alyce was a Beauty Queen. She represented Santa Cruz County in the 1954 Miss California Pageant, and of course, won the Miss Congeniality award. She fell in love with one of the pageant photographers, Sam Vestal, and married him the following year. They raised 3 children, Kirk, Kim, and Victoria.
Alyce was a Pioneer. Eager to showcase young local talent in the early 1960's, she and a team of local musicians helped create what would become the Cabrillo Music Festival which just celebrated its 50th anniversary.
Alyce was an Artist. She took up painting in 1962. Her works included watercolor, oils, acrylics, and even sculpture. She won numerous local awards, hosted one woman shows, and was a long time member of the Pajaro Valley Artists Association and the Santa Cruz Art League.
Alyce was a Seeker. She practiced Transcendental Meditation, she taught yoga, she went to massage retreats, studied numerology, astrology and read the bible every day. She drove a Volkswagon bug and burned incense. She was not a good cook.
Alyce Elisabeth Holland was born at Santa Cruz Hospital on August 23, 1934. She is predeceased by her parents Bert and Ruth Holland, son Kirk Holland Vestal, and her 3 husbands, Sam Vestal, Jerry Caudill, and David Cadwallader. She is survived by daughter Kim Vestal Bowers and Son-In-Law Craig Bowers, daughter Victor Vestal Kupper and Son-In-Law Brad Kupper, grandchildren Sam and Hannah Bowers, and Sofia and Holland Kupper, her childhood friend Lois Lawson who has been like a sister, assorted cousins, many friends, and her beloved cat Muffy.
Yes, Alyce has left us. But she wouldn't want us to be sad. So, let's all do what Alyce would do and raise a glass!
But, oh how we will miss you.
Published in The Pajaronian · July 13, 2023