Alicia Pinilla Briceno Merchan

Alicia Pinilla de Merchán is now resting in peace. She was known as Mamá, Madre, Mamis, Mamacita, Madrecita Hermosa, Mi Reina, Alicia, Alicita, Señora Alicia, Mama Alicia, Niña Ali, Doña Alicia, Abuelita, Honey …

Alicia was born in a humble family. By age 25, she had bought her first beautiful home in a middle-class neighborhood in Bogotá, Colombia, became a fencing and running distance champion, married her husband Nelson in Miami, Florida, became a permanent resident and a U.S. citizen in 2018. 

Alicia loved fencing, yoga, playing tennis, running, and walking. She enjoyed playing tennis at Parque Nacional in Bogotá, Colombia. 

Alicia spent the last few days of her life in North Carolina with her husband Nelson in the home of her daughter Mitzy and son-in-law Edgar. It is in this home where Alicia’s two sons and two daughters were lovingly welcomed. Alicia was visited by many relatives and friends who came from the area, Ohio, Illinois, Connecticut, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Texas, and Colombia, South America.

She had various roles in her working life. She transcribed theses for college students, sold tickets at the horse race track Hipodromo de Techo, managed an office at Colombiana de Seguros, and worked as a teacher’s assistant. 

She touched the lives of hundreds of people. She shared her wisdom and love with people in need: relatives, neighbors, friends, small business owners, farmers, and more.

Alicia raised her family of four children. With her actions she loved her neighbor as herself which led her to lead a strong and united family. Afterward, she gave her children their space to explore their world.

Alicia was a stay-at-home mom. Alicia was a devoted woman, a guide in her children's lives. An example of life in adverse times as in plentiful ones. All of these elements became the most wonderful gift that she gave her husband and children.

She attended the birth of all seven of her grandchildren - even in one case where she traveled overseas to do so.

From 2017 to 2023, many memorable family events happened in Alicia’s life including her traveling to Yellowstone National Park, Philadelphia, Great Smoky Mountains Natl. Park, Canada and several countries in Europe. She attended her granddaughter's wedding in August.

Alicia is survived by her husband of 61 years, Nelson Merchan-Cely; her daughters Mitzy, and husband Edgar; Lizette and wife Jenny; her sons Zack, and wife Sandra; Nelson and wife Diana; her grandchildren Paula (Gabriel), Carolina (Trev), Daniela, Nicolas (Nayra), Samuel, Audrey (Kyle), and Nelson Jr., and three great-grandchildren, Everly, Maddie, and Ezra.

A Memorial Mass will be held 11:00 AM, Thursday, October 26, 2023, at Holy Family Catholic Church, 2330 Mariposa Avenue, Port St. Lucie, Fl.

In lieu of flowers, Alicia would have loved for us to assist a neighbor or family in need. 

If you prefer, you could make a donation to the nonprofit Hospice organization that provided love and medical care to Alicia and her family in the last few days of her life: www.AmoremSupport.org