Alyce Milks, age 85, passed away in Orlando, Florida on Oct. 27, 2020. Alyce was born on April 24, 1935, in Ossining, New York, to Ethelyn and Albert Berguson, the middle of three daughters. She grew up in Elmira, New York, and earned an education degree in home economics from Oneonta College in 1956.
In 1958, Alyce married Don Milks and they embarked on a life together in Tucson, Arizona. Alyce worked for Sears as Don pursued an engineering doctorate. Their son, Andrew, was born in 1965 in Tucson, and their new family soon moved to Ada, Ohio, as Don had accepted a professorship at Ohio Northern University. In 1967 their second son, Wesley, was born.
It was in Ada where Alyce became actively involved in her community.
During her 35 years in Ada, Alyce volunteered for many activities at the United Methodist Church and in Ada schools, and she worked at the Ohio Northern bookstore. She was also involved with PEO and Habitat for Humanity.
Perhaps her greatest and most challenging job was raising Andy and Wes to become self-reliant young men by teaching them how to cook, clean and do laundry.
Besides Ada, Chautauqua, New York, held a special place in Alyce’s heart. She and Don were the host and hostess at Alumni Hall in the ‘70s and ‘80s, and Alyce was an active member of the Chautauqua Women’s Club as well as the Fire Auxiliary. Alyce also enjoyed interacting with the youth of Chautauqua as a Children’s School bus monitor for several years.
On Tuesdays, you would often find Alyce helping to prepare and serve lunches at Hurlbut Church. Besides helping out in many ways, Alyce loved attending the cultural and spiritual events that Chautauqua had to offer, and spending priceless time with her family.
In 2000, Alyce and Don started to spend their winters in sunny Florida. They spent many years on Treasure Island, taking full advantage of beach living, before moving closer to Wes and his family in Orlando.
Alyce is survived by her sisters, Alma Schroeder and Lynne Richardson, her sons Wes (Marni), and Andy (Chris), and her four grandchildren: Jacob, Edison, Alyson and Robb. She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Milks.
Alyce will be remembered for her calming, quiet demeanor, dedication to family, friends and community, and her gentle spirit. Currently Alyce has donated her body to the medical students of the University of Central Florida.
Her final resting place will be with Don at the Chautauqua Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Straight Street, a faith-based food ministry serving the homeless in Orlando (http://www.straightst.org/giving), and/or the Chautauqua Fire Department Auxiliary, P.O. Box 224, Chautauqua, NY, 14722.
