Alice (Maria) Serrano

Alice (Maria) Serrano left this earth to join her Heavenly Family on the evening of Resurrection Easter Sunday, just as she had predicted. She was a young 96 years, and lived a long, fulfilling life. She left this earth surrounded by most of her family. Alice passed peacefully sleeping at home, as she had requested from our Lord.

In the Book of Matthew 5:14-16, it is said:

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill can’t be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket; but on a stand, and it gives light to ALL in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give Glory to your Father who is in Heaven.” Alice, loving Mom, grandma, Aunt, Sister-in-law and friend to many, lived her life this way. Alice, or as everyone, (including her doctors) called her, “The Miracle Girl”, was filled with Spark and Life, as she knew she WAS a Miracle Girl. When she passed, at age 96, she had miraculously survived many severe illnesses and traumatic events in her life: a house fire during her childhood, The Great Depression, a Revolution, cancer, a stroke, a “return to life from death” resulting in life support on a ventilator for months in critical care, and in the midst of this: the loss of her loving husband of 58 years, Tony (in 2008), and her parents, Ana & John Salazar. Her siblings also passed this life before her: brothers Daniel, Ray, and Manual Salazar and sisters Lucy Saavedra (her twin), and Mary Ventimiglia (her little sister). The Miracle Girl always put the next day forward with prayers and hope in the future of her family.

She was preceded in death by her lifelong “amor”, Tony (Anthony), and now leaves behind four beloved children: Mark and David Serrano, Elizabeth Armendariz and Rebecca Serrano Holtzer, as well as loving daughter-in-law (or 3rd daughter, Linda Williams Serrano), 10 beautiful grandchildren, and 15 blessed great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind loving sister-in-law, Sandy Salazar, and brother-in-law, Jose Echeverria. She will miss her many nieces and nephews and their children, many of whom she lovingly took under her wings.

Our Mom was born in 1926 in Santa Barbara, and raised there until the family moved to Lincoln, California during the Great Depression. When the family home burnt to the ground, the family briefly lived in Mexico, before returning to California and eventually settled in San Jose in 1945, after the war. There, Alice met her loving Tony, and in 1950, they were married. They had 4 children and lived as many Americans did – working, playing, and enjoying the American dream.

This is the story of Mom’s (Alice’s or Maria’s) life … always the selfless, nurturing mother, then Grandma, then Great Grandma. She loved taking care of others. Holding babies was her favorite pastime and feeding them was her second. Her love was always a beacon of light for all of us. Her lessons on being respectful, humble, and compassionate were all things that became important to us. Getting an education, being involved in the community, and patriotic to our “free country” was sacred and living in a democratic society (after experiencing living in a country in revolt (Mexico) for a short time), were all issues held high in Mom’s priorities. But most importantly, FAITHFULNESS TO GOD AND HIS WORD above all else, because, as we were taught, God could heal every aspect of our being. Mom taught us with LOVE and kindness – with meekness, but with strength. She was as strong as she was meek. She was a Godly woman who was passionate in her beliefs, and would tell you so, but in a nice way so you would want to listen to her.

We thank God and honor Mama Alice today, and celebrate the Life she lived, all 96 years. As she deserves to be honored and blessed. Her Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, May 11, 2023 at 12 noon, until approximately 2:00 pm, in the Rose Chapel at Oak Hill Funeral Home, 300 Curtner Ave., San Jose, CA., followed by a short service at the gravesite in the Field of Honor there. Family and friends are welcome.