Obituary of Alicia Del Carmen Steffens
November 15, 1929 – April 9, 2025
Alicia Del Carmen Steffens, 95, of Middlesex, New Jersey, passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, surrounded by the love and comfort of her family.
Born in Cartagena, Colombia, on November 15, 1929, Alicia was raised in Barranquilla, Colombia, where she began shaping the values and deep faith that would define her life. She attended Colegio de María Auxiliadora, a formative time in her youth. In 1979, Alicia immigrated to the United States and made her home in New Jersey, where she lived for the past 46 years.
Alicia dedicated her life to her family as a devoted homemaker. Her warmth and strength touched everyone who had the joy of knowing her. She was a deeply religious woman and found great solace and inspiration through her lifelong devotion to Parroquia Nuestra Señora Del Carmen.
She had a natural love for life’s simple pleasures—reading all kinds of books, cooking for her family, listening to music and dancing, and swimming. Her joyful presence brought energy into every room she entered, and her culinary skills brought comfort and connection to generations of loved ones.
Alicia is survived by her beloved husband, Alberto Enrique Steffens, and her cherished children: Victoria Monsalve Steffens, Alberto De Jesus Steffens and his wife Patricia, Ruby Del Carmen Garcia Rocha and her husband Andres, Edgardo Rocha and his wife Maria, and Fernando Lara and Dora Lara. She was predeceased by her beloved son, Jorge Rocha, in 2020.
Alicia also leaves behind her loving siblings: Carmen Elena Fuentes, Nora Pereira Pacheco, Manuel Fuentes, Carlos Fuentes, Yolanda Torres Pereira, Lucilla Padilla Pereira, and Gabriel Pereira.
She was a proud grandmother to thirteen grandchildren: Alejandra D. Monsalve, Vanessa Isabel Steffens, Alberto Jesus Steffens, Andrea Garcia, Allan Garcia, Katia Rocha, Edgardo Rocha Jr., Freddy Rocha, Liam Lara, Lindsey Lara, Ivette Lara, Alexander Lara, and Valeria Rocha.
Alicia was blessed with eleven great-grandchildren who will carry on her legacy: Valerie Gutierrez, Alessia Ziegler, Andrew Ziegler, Tatiana Cortijo, Daniel Saumett, Katherin Saumett, Joshua Saumett, Katelyn Jimenez, AJ Lara, Cortez Lara, and Maia Lara.
She was the daughter of the late Domingo Pereira and Diosana Pacheco, whose values and traditions she so beautifully honored throughout her life.
Family and friends are invited to celebrate Alicia’s life on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at Higgins Home for Funerals, 752 Mountain Blvd., Watchung, NJ 07069. Visitation will be held from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, followed by a funeral service at 3:00 PM. Cremation services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or online at www.stjude.org/donate.
Alicia’s gentle soul, enduring faith, and boundless love for her family will never be forgotten.
