Alice Bermudez Rojas

February 7, 1954 – March 24, 2024

Alice was born on February 7, 1954, in Elsa, Texas to Alejandra Bermudez Rojas and Norberto Cabral Rojas. In August 1954, the family migrated to California, settling in the small town of Mendota. Alice is one of Alejandra and Norberto’s 11 children.

From an early age, Alice worked alongside her siblings and parents harvesting various crops in the surrounding ag communities. These experiences helped her realize that earning an education was vital so she could one day have a career. With family at the forefront of her mind (and heart), Alice sought to earn a greater income compared to the wages she earned in the fields, so she could contribute more to the household needs. Alice proudly graduated from Tranquility High School in 1972, then continued her studies at West Hills Community College, with the goal of working in the Education field. She achieved her goal on February 5, 1974, when she was hired by Mendota Unified School District as a teacher’s aide, working in the field of Special Education. Alice worked closely with teachers and parents to meet the unique needs of this student population. Throughout her career with Mendota Unified, she earned “superior” evaluation ratings and was praised for being “dependable, reliable, hard-working, respectful and enthusiastic with the children and their learning.” These comments reflect her commitment and passion to serve the students with the greatest needs.

Alice was naturally curious, from childhood onward. She loved life, and was curious about nature, collecting rocks, bugs and “found” objects. She was fearless when it came to catching bugs and spiders, much to the amazement of her siblings. Alice’s love for her siblings was evident from the start. For example, in junior high, Alice would request early release from school to pick up little MaryAnn from kindergarten. Before going home, Alice would secretly take her sister to the Busy Bee to get candy. She was known for her love of shopping, and her siblings shared how Alice would often buy gifts for them, her nieces, and nephews. Large or small, these gifts were cherished by her loved ones.

Alice is remembered for a great many other things – from her long, flowing hair that was never out of place, to her love of fashion that kept her younger sisters in awe, to driving around town in her little red car sporting her matching, signature red lip. She loved dancing, music and watching old movies, especially with her fiancé Nick. They enjoyed going out to dinner and trying new foods. In her off time, you would often find Alice and Nick relaxing in the company of their two little dogs, Zoe and Hachiko.

Since the passing of her beloved mother in 1990, Alice served as her father’s primary caretaker. Over the past five years as her father’s health needs increased, she worked with her sisters to ensure that their father lived with dignity at his home until he passed to Heaven in November 2023. Alice collected scriptures and quotes that focused on the importance of serving God, solving problems, and remaining kind, peaceful and forgiving of herself and others. Alice went to Heaven on March 24, 2024, and now is in the loving presence of God, her mother Alejandra, father Norberto and brother Jesse. She is survived by her siblings - Olga, Raphaela, Stella, Yolanda, Joe, Delia, MaryAnn, Emma, and Jesse “Kiko.”

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”--John 3:16, NIV.