In 1989, I got the visa to the United States, at the time I was at the Seminary to become a priest; Monsignor José Gabriel Calderón, our bishop, had a trip to Miami and I decided to travel with him. In Miami he introduced me to Shelly, he talked to me about her labor as a catechist in Bogotá when he was a parish priest. Since then was the beautiful friendship between Mons. Calderón, Shelly and her husband.
Before I came back to Colombia Shelly offered me to stay 20 more days at her house, so it was. She welcomed into her home like a son and throughout all these years she always showed me great affection. There I met her daughters Martha and Patty to whom I send my closeness and prayers. As Monsignor Jairo Uribe said in another message, we fell in love with shelly and “the only reason to travel to Miami was to visit her”. A woman full of faith in God, who lived her faith in her goodness and sweetness; I will always have her in my heart and my prayers. Mt 25, 31-46 “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, take as your heritage the Kingdom prepared for you since the foundation of the world…”
In the picture one of the visits of Shelly to us: Monsignor Jairo Uribe (left side), Monsignor José Gabriel Calderón (framed photo in the center) and me, father Alexander. 

Martha and Patricia, my prayers for eternal rest of your mother.  The world knows she passed away and also knows about her request of not notifying anybody.  You are doing the right and with great appreciation accept all the condolences offered by her closest relatives who have just great memories of her personality.

Mis mayores condolencias a la familia, perder a mamá es perder parte de nuestras vidas, con ella se va el consuelo y la comprensión incondicional que sólo ellas saben dar a sus hijos. Que en paz descanse Aracely, tus hijas y todos los que tuvimos el placer de conocer tu ternura, te recordaremos. IRENE 

My thoughts are with both of you. I remember seeing your mom every Sunday at mass, years after we graduated from I.L.S.
Always such a sweet and nice person. Just like her girls.
I join you in your loss, she will live forever in your hearts.  💕  Love & Friendship always, Molly

Conocí a Shelly por medio de Mons. Calderon primer Obispo de la Diócesis de Cartago en Colombia para quien el único motivo de viajar a Miami era visitar a Shelly, lo hacía con frecuencia y por ello aprendí de Monseñor Calderón el amor y el cariño por ella. 
Hoy le recuerdo con veneración. Me duele su partida y quiero expresarle mis sentimientos de pesar a sus hijas Patricia y Martha, son muy pocas las personas tan buenas como Shelly que uno conoce en la vida. 
Un abrazo, mis oraciones están con Ustedes 
Mons. Jairo Uribe Jaramillo 

Shelley and I only met recently while I was doing my internal medicine rotation in Miami. Her warm and welcoming nature made me feel as if I had known her for a long time, and every time I visited her she would remind me that her place is my place, and make sure that I was comfortable. It indeed felt like home away from home. We shared many things in common, like our love for traveling. I can't help but recall many precious memories. A few weeks before I was leaving, I went to visit her at the hospital and it was only then that I found out that her name was 'Aracely' (I often called her Shelley or Mrs Acosta). I asked her if she knew what Aracely meant and she narrated a beautiful incident from her childhood when she and her mom were grocery shopping and she ran out of her mom's sight for a while. Her mom got worried and started calling out her name. A man, who also happened to be nearby came up and asked her mom if she knew what the word 'Aracely' meant to which her mom said no. The man told her it meant 'the altar of the sky/ heaven.' I couldn't help but smile. What a befitting name!

This other time when I was staying over at her place and during one of our conversations, I was randomly telling her how I have started to love some of the cuban, Columbian and Mexican food during my stay in Miami. Among other things I mentioned 'pan de bono.' The next morning when I woke up there was pan de bono with coffee for breakfast. I was surprised that she remembered such a tiny detail from our conversation and actually arranged for the pan de bono for breakfast. 

I will always hold her memories close to my heart, and keep her in my prayers.


A beautiful lady inside and out.  May she Rest In Peace with our lord.
Amen 🙏 

OBITUARY

Aracely Acosta

October 21, 1930 – February 6, 2022

Caballero Rivero Westchester

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services