Candyce E. O'Malley

Candyce Evans O’Malley of San Jose, Calif., 55, died peacefully in her home surrounded by family on Nov. 27, 2015, after an eight-year battle with neuroendocrine cancer.

She was born in Mason City, Iowa March 9, 1960 to Frank and Beverly Evans. Candyce was a positive inspiration to family and friends throughout her life, most notably showing strength, love and light to all during her illness.

Candyce received her business degree from the University of Iowa (Go Hawkeyes) and later moved to Chicago where she met her husband, Kevin, in 1996. She worked as marketing director at Michael Reese Hospital and later started her own desktop publishing business.

She was a Midwest girl at heart, but Northern California became the family’s new home in 1997. She fell in love with California and made sure her two children, Ryan and Faith, took advantage of its beauty, history, culture and recreation, teaching them to appreciate life and all the area had to offer.

Her children were the light of her life and she was both devoted and close to each of them. She also valued her great friendships.

Candyce is preceded in death by her father, Frank Evans, and nephew, Scott Evans. She is survived by her husband, Kevin; her son, Ryan, and her daughter, Faith; her mother, Beverly; her brother, Greg (Janet); niece, Natalie (Daniel) and new great nephew, Malachi; her aunt, Colleen; and her cousin, Karen (Steve) and son, Danny.

A memorial service for Candyce will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 11, at the Stone Church in Willow Glen, San Jose, Calif. An afternoon memorial party will be held over the hill in Santa Cruz from 1 to 4:30 p.m. At Candyce’s request she asked that attendees wear bright colors at both events in celebration of her life.

In lieu of flowers, a foundation is being created in Candyce’s name to help fund much-needed neuroendocrine tumor research at Stanford University School of Medicine.