Alicia M. Bórquez's journey began on July 18th, 1936. Born in Concepcion, Chile, as Alicia Edith Menke Barra; the first child of Velia Alicia Barra Cunningham and Carlos Alberto Menke Matus. Her life was guided by both faith and self-determination. She passed away on August 2, 2024, after a courageous battle against Parkinson’s Disease.

She met Guillermo Vicente Bórquez in the southern Chilean town of Aysén, and they married shortly after, in 1958. Together, they dreamed of traveling the world. In May of 1965, they immigrated to the United States, where they would spend the next 6 decades living in Montana, California, and Minnesota.

Along the way, Alicia helped raise three children: Guillermo (Bill), Catherine (Cathy), and Cristina. When Alicia’s kids were old enough to go to school, she also decided to go to school. Self-improvement and education were always important to her. So, in her mid-forties, when she had an opportunity, she seized the moment and enrolled at a community college in California and studied accounting, which led to a successful 10-year career at Wells Fargo Bank. Afterward, she pursued entrepreneurial endeavors, including home childcare. Each step of the way, she left behind an indelible impression.

Her life was driven by family, community, and faith. She was a devout 40-year member of St. Perpetua Catholic Church in Lafayette, California, and had a strong circle of friends with whom she maintained contact for decades. Her faith, life experiences, and strength gathered from family and friends gave her the courage to deal gracefully and pragmatically with her Parkinson's diagnosis.

Alicia is survived by her husband of 66 years, Guillermo, all three children (Bill, Cathy, and Cristina), daughter-in-law Pam Bórquez (Bill), two grandchildren, Eva and Gabriel Bórquez (Pam & Bill), son-in-law Josh Nolte (Cristina), brother Hector Menke (Myriam), and nephews Kurt and Harold Menke.

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