Our amazing Mom, Alice Calarco, peacefully passed away early on July 29^th surrounded by family within a loving circle of grace. She joins our Dad who passed away in 2011. Our greatest joy was to be able spend her last days together in person. The absolute love and joy created by that moment when she sees each of us, enter the room with her, is one of the most amazing moments.  The pure energy of love. To hold her hand and give her hugs was a true blessing for each of us.

Mom left us here to continue her family connection, including her six children, Catherine Calarco, Teresa Calarco, Steve Calarco, Andrea Calarco, Pete Calarco and Veronica Calarco plus 6 grandchildren Brian, Rachele, Nikolaus, Dante, Noah and Roman, and 4 great grandchildren. Also, she is survived by her brothers Tony Erlinger and Bill Erlinger, along with dozens of cousins, nieces and nephews. We have a very big extended family that Mom enjoyed getting together with for events and visits.

Mom was born in Hollywood, CA and grew up in Burbank attending John Burrows High School. She loved camping and spending time on the beach including fishing and hiking. Her brothers tell the story of her great adventure traveling to NYC for a year where she committed to her career as a nurse. When she returned, mom and her sister Delores Hassett shared an apartment where everyone was welcome and had a great time.  Along with her sister, Mom graduated from Mount St Mary’s Nursing School in 1958 and moved to Chico area to be near her parents. In Chico, she worked at several hospitals including Enloe and Community Hospital. The magic continues when she met our Dad, Nino Calarco, while he was working at the Butte County Health Dept. They knew they were meant for each other and soon married as they both wanted to have a large family. Mom and Dad were married for 52 years celebrating each year together.

Her greatest joy was family and all of us six children, grand kids and great grand kids. With pots of coffee, she had the capacity to manage the chaos of family including things such as 4 kids in diapers and working as an ER nurse all at the same time.  It was especially joyful when the grand kids and great grand kids were born. Mom loved babies. Mom and Dad would pack up all of us and the gear into one station wagon, to camp out at Lake Almanor or Butte Meadows.  Then, there was the time that she hiked miles, with six kids, a heavy cooler and lots of beach towels, across sand dunes to get to the beach. Although adventurous in spirit, Mom travels were only about visiting her family. The first time she got her passport was to travel to Fiji and New Zealand to visit her kids. Recently, she enjoyed family trips each year to beach houses or for birthday celebrations.

She loved to cook and was renowned for all the great meals from amazing eggs and hash on the camp stove to famous salmon patties, standing rib roasts, and homemade ravioli. Although there was way too much tuna casserole. As kids, we picked wild berries, harvested peaches and grew squash which resulted in us canning dozens of jars of fruit, pickles, and jams.

Throughout her life, she cared for each of us and made us feel very special. When everyone graduated from College, she and Dad proudly attended all the ceremonies.  She was proud of our achievements and enjoyed learning about all our lives. She was there through the tough times and the good times. We had frequent mom calls where we shared the news and chatted about how things were going. Through the journey of life, we were together.

As she got older, she would ask the quirkiest questions and said proudly that she could get away with asking anything. The questions always brought answers and smiles.

Over the last years, her caregivers enjoyed being with mom. She will truly be missed with her infectious smile and laugh. A truly special person that accepted everyone for themselves and was a joy to be around. Mom is remembered for having a great sense of humor.

As a caregiver, Mom was dedicated to helping so many people and taking care of family and neighbors. Mom volunteered and worked for several organizations that were important to her including The American Heart Association and St Vincent De Paul / Jesus Center.  She was active at St John the Baptist and Our Devine Savoir Catholic churches in Chico.

In the end, all that matters is the love between us all. The love of family and the kindness and humor we give to those we meet each day. Mom held on to that core value and expressed it throughout her life. The hugs we shared at the end were the best of our lives.  We are all blessed to have known our mom.

Mom lives on in all our hearts and the hearts of those who knew her.  Her care giving spirit and generous humor will be part of our lives always.  May she rest in peace, with our Dad, in Heaven.