Alyce Walsh

Alyce Mary Bass Walsh was born on March 4, 1947, to Robert Lee Bass and Elveta Silva Bass of Okeetee Club, Switzerland, South Carolina. Her childhood centered around horseback riding, summer camp and reading. Reading was her favorite activity.

Alyce graduated from St. Vincent’s Academy in Savannah, Georgia and was admitted to Berry College in Rome, Georgia, at the age of sixteen. During her junior year at Berry College, she read Dr. A.J. Cronin’s book “The Citadel”. Cronin’s “The Citadel” and a childhood encounter with racial segregation at a hospital were formative experiences that shaped Alyce’s career path. She changed her major and went on to become a dedicated advocate for the sick and disadvantaged. Alyce graduated from the Medical University Of South Carolina with BS degree in Nuclear Medicine and certification as a radiation therapist. Shortly thereafter, she became interested in a new medical technique and traveled to Cleveland Clinic to study Interventional Radiology. She earned her certification in Vascular-Interventional Radiography and worked in Cardiac Catheterization for many years. Never satisfied, she became a Registered Nurse. Alyce devoted her nursing career to caring for others across multiple departments, ultimately serving as a hospital nursing supervisor. In 1992, she met her soulmate, Samuel Lawrence Svalina, Esq. Their relationship became a marriage made in heaven. They were best friends and were rarely apart during their twenty-one years together. Alyce became interested in the law as it relates to medicine. She joined The Svalina Law Firm in 1997 as a member of their medical malpractice division as a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant and Certified Life Care Planner. In 2014, after many insightful years working in the legal and medical profession, Alyce rejoined a former employer, Beaufort Jasper Hampton Comprehensive Health Services with a mission to advocate for preventive medical services for all patients. She had long decided that inequality in access to healthcare and profit-driven treatment decisions resulted in poor quality healthcare. BJHCHS was a perfect fit. Alyce never wanted to retire because she didn’t consider her work a job. She said, “Why should I give up something I enjoy doing.” As such, she continued to work remotely following her health issues until her demise.

In addition to her parents and grandparents, Alyce was predeceased by her brother, Robert Lee Bass, Jr., and her brother Nathaniel Burton Bass III., and the love of her life, her spouse, Samuel Lawrence Svalina, Esq.

She leaves behind: Daughter, Teresa Anne Starling, Tampa, Florida; Son, Bryan Patrick Walsh, Ridgeland, SC; Grandson, Dustyn Michael Velez (Jessie), Tampa, Florida; Granddaughter, Sydney Grace Starling, Tampa, Florida; Granddaughter, Amelia Parfeni Walsh, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Great Grandson, Jaxson Hugh Velez, Tampa, Florida; Nephew, Nathan Louis Bass, Ridgeland, S.C.

Alyce was especially grateful for the support she received from the Quality Department at Beaufort Jasper Hampton Comprehensive Health Services and Dr. Greg Lonscak for allowing her to continue her work remotely during her illness.

Sauls Funeral Home, Ridgeland, SC., is helping the family. Per Alyce’s wishes, there will not be a viewing or funeral service. There will be a private Catholic Mass for the Deceased for immediate family only with private burial in the Grahamville Cemetery, Ridgeland, SC.