Alicia Morales Licha

Alicia Morales Licha, 94 years old, of Venice, Florida, passed away Friday, May 24, 2024. Born September 6, 1929 in Aguas Buenas, Puerto Rico to Jose Morales and Juanita Lizardi, she received a Bachelor Of Science from the University of Puerto Rico in Rio Piedras, and completed her course work to become a Clinical Laboratory Technician at Long Island Jewish Hospital in New York. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ramón Licha from Caguas, Puerto Rico, whom she married. She started working as a laboratory technician at the School of Tropical Medicine (a consortium between the Puerto Rico government and Columbia University’s School of Medicine evaluating samples of river water for Bhilarzia. She became pregnant with her first child and was automatically dismissed, as in those times pregnant women were not allowed to work. She spent the next 12 years raising her four children, and around 1971, joined GD Searle as a microbiologist in the Quality Control Department. She eventually led the department, until her retirement in 1988. Alicia and Ramón retired to Kissimmee, Florida, followed by moves to Altamonte Springs, Deland and finally Venice, Florida.

Highly educated and ahead of her time as a career woman, she was also an avid knitter and reader and taught herself to play the organ after retirement. She loved dancing with her beloved Ramon.

Alicia is survived by her children Ramon Humberto (Zoe), Alicia Mercedes (Douglas), Sara Ines (Bob) and Luis Gerardo (Mindy) and her grandchildren Nargies, Joshua, Lauren, Lilli, Ethan, Brandon and Riley.

Arrangements entrusted to Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home, Goldenrod Chapel

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St Jude Children’s Hospital or the Catholic Television Network.