Mrs. Alicia Ariano Ariano Warnken

Alicia Ariano Warnken was a natural leader whose winning presence allowed her to take control of various situations with ease. Equipped with a clear and calculating focus, she possessed a tough-minded, “take charge” attitude. She had the ability to make even routine situations seem exciting, and she was at ease with the role of playing problem solver. Alicia always sought out the scene of where the action was. Sociable, analytical and pleasant, Alicia was an individual who enjoyed life’s challenges.

Her parents were Jose Manuel Ariano and Eva Eckardt de Ariano. Alicia was raised in Barranquilla, Colombia. Always able to express herself well, Alicia possessed strong interpersonal skills. She was optimistic in her outlook on life and was able at all times to be open and direct in her communication. Armed with a great wit, Alicia was raised to be accepting of others and to implement a strong personal work ethic.

Blessed with a balanced attitude, Alicia was able to relate well with others. Her occasional role as family mediator gave her the opportunity to ease tense situations when they occurred. Alicia was raised with eight siblings and a cousin which were Jose Manuel, Federico, Beatriz, Carlos, Rodolfo, Cecilia, Roberto, Margarita and Jorge Eckardt. Alicia had a strong desire to be treated fairly and would readily offer others the same fairness in return.

On October 16, 1949 Alicia exchanged wedding vows with Stephens A. Warnken. Alicia was attentive to Steve's feelings, and she charmed Steve and others with her gift for being able to give freely and generously. A good listener with an engaging personality, Alicia was able to bring pleasure and unexpected humor to the relationship.

Very much like a kid herself, Alicia identified with the inquisitive and creative side of her children’s personalities. She was able to direct her energy and spontaneity towards helping her children acquire added common sense skills. Alicia was blessed with six children, Alice Edwina, Edmund Lee, Catherine Eva, Sephanie Sue, Kathryn Elaine, Stephens Jr. They were also blessed with nine grandchildren, Angela Rhea Warnken, Bryan Ray Peters, Aviva Michele Babbit, Michael Andrew Babbit, Jonathan Warnken, Cristina Margarita Gomez, Jennifer Lee Warnken, Daniel Enrique Gomez, Steven Frederick Warnken.

Alicia was no stranger to tragedy from early in life. In1942 she loses her mother who was only 54 and becomes the backbone of her household, and having to raise her 5 youngest siblings. In 1948 her brother, Federico passes away leaving a widow and young son. In 1949 her sister Beatriz had complications at child birth and both she and the child passed away. In 1951 she losses her father. In 1954 she loses her then one and a half year old daughter Catherine. 1995 her almost 20 year old grandson Bryan (her daughter Stephanie's only child), passes away. In the next five years she loses her brothers, Jose Manuel and Carlos. In October of 2000, just 10 days after her 50th wedding anniversary, she loses her husband Steve and in 2004 she loses her granddaughter and great-grandson to a drunk driver. Cristina was just 21 and her son Johnathan was 3.

Alicia was a flexible worker who was able to draw the best from others around her. A persuasive individual who was quick to make necessary decisions, Alicia’s strengths included being able to think on her feet. She could be a leader who sought impact for her decisions. Gifted with an incredible ability to read body language, Alicia was able to positively manipulate situations and motivate others in order to get a task completed. She was a good negotiator who enjoyed new challenges. Alicia could multi-task, and she was endowed with entrepreneurial spirit, allowing her to think beyond standard norms when it came to resolving in her work environment. She was employed as a school teacher for many years and was in charge of her aunts school that carried their name: Instituto Ariano. Later in life she worked in several health facilities as a nursing aide. She retired from Bascom Palmer Eye Institute after 17 years of service, at the age of 76. After her retirement she volunteered her services selling candy at the Candy Cart to patients and guests of the hospital.

Alicia was a gifted problem solver who worked hard to help issues and accomplish group goals. This skill made her a wonderful asset to the various groups and organizations to which she belonged. Always matter-of-fact about what needed to be done, Alicia worked steadily to meet any organization’s goals. Throughout her later years, Alicia was an active member of the Damas Voluntarias de Barranquilla en Miami (Volunteer Ladies of Barranquilla in Miami), a group of retired women who dedicated time to gather funds to send to the orphanages and senior citizens facilities.

She is survived by her wonderful children Alice, Edmund, Stephanie, Kathryn and Stephens Jr., nine grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and four siblings as well as other family, friends and loved ones who will dearly miss her. Services were held at Forest Lawn Funeral Home South. Alicia was laid to rest in Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens South in Davie, Florida.

Alicia was the kind of person who could win others over easily. A concrete communicator, she relied on her senses to increase her involvement and awareness of others. She was always able to provide amusing repartee to her friends and acquaintances, offering a seemingly endless supply of quips, anecdotes, jokes and stories. If Alicia had a theme song written about her, it might well have been “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” She enjoyed her life and the experience of living it. This is how everyone will remember Alicia Ariano Warnken.