Alicia Aracena

Our mother, Alicia, was born in Santiago, Chile, on June 14, 1927. She was the daughter of Rev. Rogelio Aracena and Zulema Amaya. Together, they had nine children.

In her youth, she met the person who would later become her husband while attending the church summer camp. He, Uzziel, was just accepted into the Navy and was about to leave. They wrote each other long letters until, some years later, they got married. Together, they had four children.

Our mom was a strong, brave, and tender lady. She learned how to be a Navy wife, adapting to new places and homes due to the frequent transfers our dad had. She wasn´t a person who said much with words, but her actions spoke what was in her heart. She could stay up late at night, finishing the sewing of a new pair of pants, knitting a jersey, or finishing the birthday cake she always made for each of us every year.

What made a lasting impression on us, children and grandchildren, was her peaceful character. It could be the middle of an earthquake, and all of us children trying to run away, she grabbed us and kept us calm. Mom was either singing or whistling while cooking, cleaning, and watering the plants. She also enjoyed playing table games with us, and sometimes she was tricky! 

After Dad passed away in 2015, Mom moved to Michigan with Viviana, her oldest child. Mom was 87 years old. She enjoyed her time with her because they traveled to different places. She has the blessing of meeting her great-grandchildren and developing a loving relationship with them. Due to Viviana´s job, Mom had the opportunity to meet lots of people, and she enjoyed that.

After a while, she developed dementia. Unfortunately, it was necessary to have her in a home, which was a challenging and painful decision. Only time showed it was the right decision since she needed more and more care. As dementia advanced, her ability to connect and interact with family was more and more difficult. In her last days, she wasn´t able to speak, eat, or open her eyes, and she peacefully passed. 

She wondered why the Lord didn´t take her sooner. Her peaceful character made a strong impression on the Aids and Nurses. She didn´t know that, but even though she was two weeks from turning 98 years old, the Lord still used her. 

Mom and Dad left us children with a marvelous testimony of what marriage means, the value of honesty and loyalty, and the importance of family. 

With much love from her children, Viviana, Nelson, Cecilia, and Alejandra. 
Her nine grandchildren and her ten great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 2 pm on Sunday, June 1, 2025 at MKD Funeral Home (Jamestown), 2371 Riley St., Hudsonville. A time to visit with the family will be held from 1-2 pm prior to the service.