Alice was born in Imperial, California, to Jose and Petra Vega on April 3, 1937, and passed away at the age of 87 on November 21, 2024, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Her family moved from Imperial to the small community of Planada when she was a child. Alice, along with her brothers and sisters, attended grammar and Jr high in Planada and attended high school in Le Grand.
Alice would meet her future husband later in her teen years and they married soon after in 1955. Soon thereafter their son would be born and then two daughters would follow.
Alice was very devoted to her family, she loved them all unconditionally, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Alice was a huge supporter of her son and daughters endeavors, in both sports and music.
Alice was an accomplished athlete as she enjoyed playing tennis in her younger years and was a very good golfer. She enjoyed playing golf with her husband, Edward and also with the many friends that they had at the golf course. Alice was a member of Rancho Del Rey Golf Club for over 30 years. She won the Women’s Club Championship twice and also carded three hole in ones.
Alice was also a master seamstress, quilter, and loved to crochet. Her quilts are works of art and her sewing room is wall to wall fabric and threads.
Above all, as her family would say, Alice was tough as nails, but she had a heart of pure gold. She would always help family in any way she could. Family was everything to her, and those values have been passed on to her children.
She will be missed dearly and never forgotten.
Alice is preceded in death by her parents Jose and Petra Vega, Brothers Joseph Vega, Gonzalo Vega, Richard Vega, and sister Cenayda Herrera, and daughter-in-law Lori Buendia.
She is survived by her loving husband of 69 years Edward Buendia, son Michael (Linda), daughter Madeline (Michael), daughter Alice (Robert), six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Funeral service is to be held on December 4, 2024 at 11:00 am, at Stratford and Evans Merced Funeral Home, 1490 B Street, Merced CA
Reception to follow at Club Mercedes, 569 9th Street, Merced CA
Through this site we invite you to view and share cherished photos and videos, share fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the Sheppard Family or share the obituary with others via social media and email. Arrangements are under the direction of Ramon Wenham, Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home.
