Alma Marie LiRocchi

Alma was born on March 21, 1938, in Nakina, North Carolina, to the late Gladys Kathleen (Jones) Milligan and Elbert Luther Milligan. She was one of five children. She spent her early years growing up in Nakina and Jacksonville, North Carolina, playing with her cousins and friends. When her mother passed away at a young age, Alma was helped through the loss by her beloved grandmother, Annie Deletha (Hawes) Jones, who helped raise her. Alma graduated from Jacksonville High School.

Before marrying and raising a family, Alma worked as an airline stewardess. She later made her home in Mission Viejo, California, where she was known for her gift of hospitality and her love of caring for people. Her strong faith in and love for Jesus Christ showed through her love for others and her commitment to serving in her church, where she gave generously of her time and talents, and she loved to sing in the choir. She also brought comfort to others through her dedicated volunteer service at the Ronald McDonald House at CHOC Hospital. In recognition of her outstanding and committed service to the community, Alma was awarded the prestigious "Golden Paw" Award two years in a row.

Alma loved to travel with her husband and friends. She also loved to cook, and her Seafood Gumbo and Red Beans and Rice were favorites of everyone lucky enough to sit at her table. Alma never knew a stranger, and her true Southern charm showed through in her love for others.

Alma was preceded in death by her husband, Vincent Walter LiRocchi III; her parents; her mother-in-law, Ruth LiRocchi; her father-in-law, Dr. Vincent LiRocchi Jr.; her brother, Elbert Milligan Jr.; and her sister, Diane Bertrand.

She is survived by her children, Theresa Marie (LiRocchi) Cole and her husband, Dennis; and Michael Vincent LiRocchi and his wife, Annie; her stepchildren, Anthony LiRocchi and his wife, Janine; Elizabeth (LiRocchi) Baethe and her husband, Scott; and Vincent Walter LiRocchi IV and his wife, Alicia; her sister, Deidre Shore and her husband, Wayne; her brother, John Milligan and his wife, Becky; her grandchildren, Joshua, Vee, Nicholas, Christopher, Libby, Caydon, Liam, Noah, and Scarlett; and seven great-grandchildren.

A celebration of Alma's life will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. at Fairhaven Memorial Park in Santa Ana, California, with burial to follow at 10:00 a.m.