Joan "Marle" Alba Joan Marlene (Nickerson) Race-Alba, 74 years, died Wednesday, July 9, 2008 at the West Acres Nursing Home in Brockton. She was the wife of the late Charles Race and Felix Alba. Born August 4, 1933 in Rome, New York, she was the daughter of the late Stephen Nickerson and Mirium G. (Nutt) Nickerson. She is survived by her children, Dr. Holly Thomas of Easton, Gerard Race of New York, Bretynn Flewelling of North Carolina, Charlynn Ruhm of New York, and Doran Race of New Jersey. Funeral Information Funeral services are private.