GUILDERLAND – Maria Isabel Alcala-Frasqueri, 88 of Guilderland, New York, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 13, 2012 at home surrounded by her loving family. Ms. Alcala-Frasqueri was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico on December 19, 1923. She graduated from Villa Maria College in Erie, Pennsylvania with a Bachelors Degree and earned her Masters in Science from the University of Puerto Rico, Recinto de Mayaguez. Her dissertation was “the Nature, Significance and Effect of Pasteurization on Psychrophilic Microorganism in Apparently Normal Milk in P.R”. She also completed graduate work at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. Her career started as a High School Science teacher, she also taught at Damas Hospital School of Nursing, and later became an Associate Professor of Biology, Microbiology and Anatomy and Physiology at Catholic University of Puerto Rico and then at the University of Puerto Rico, Recinto de Ponce where she was the Director of the Biology Department. She was a consultant to the Urology Medical Association of Ponce, and was a member of the Urologists Board Examiners. She championed many causes, amongst them AIDS Education and Control of Nosocomial Infections in Hospitals. She was one of the pioneers in developing Scientific Fairs for High School students in Puerto Rico, and was a member of the awards committee for ten years. Her passion for the pursuit of learning and higher education, especially in the Sciences, manifested in the many programs she created, or engaged in, to encourage young adults to pursue careers in Science related professions. She retired in 1987 and moved to Albany, New York to become a full time grandmother. Even though she cared for her sister Josephine for many years at home, she found time to volunteer at Our Lady of Mercy Life Center. She was a communicant of St. Madeleine Sophie’s Parish in Guilderland, where she forged many friendships, especially with Lorraine De Cuyper who was her Eucharistic Minister throughout her illness. Although limited by her medical conditions, she travelled frequently to Conesus Lake, her favorite spot in New York, to “charge her batteries” and enjoyed many a time riding in “It Floats”, a very old pontoon boat that would accommodate her wheel chair. She was lovingly cared for by Dr. Ann Michalek, with whom she formed a special bond and by the many personal care aides from St. Peter’s Home Care, The Eddy, Interim Health Care and Community Hospice of Albany.
Ms. Alcala-Frasqueri is survived by her daughter Maria T. Vidal (William B. Day, who cared for her dotingly) of Guilderland, her loving son Julio Vidal of Latham and the apple of her eye, her grandson Julio R. Vidal of Philadelphia, Pa., as well as her goddaughter Alma and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her previous husband, father of her children and life-long friend Jose Angel Rodriguez, her children Jose Angel, Maria Asuncion and Maria Isabel, her Mom and Dad and eleven brothers and sisters.
There will be no calling hours. Relatives and friends are invited to a mass of Christian Burial on Friday, May 18th at 10 a.m. in St. Madeleine Sophie Parish in Guilderland. Entombment will be in St. Agnes Cemetery in Menands. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Madeleine Sophie Parish, 3500 Carman Road, Schenectady, NY 12303. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hans Funeral Home, Albany. To leave a message of condolence for the family, send a sympathy card, or obtain directions to the church, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.
Click here for directions to St. Madeleine Sophie Church.
Susan
Tere-
The wonderful love of your amazing mother will always be with you and sustain you. I pray for her and for you, that you may be comforted in these dark days.
much love – Susan
Jim Ryan
Maria,
I am so sorry to hear about your mom’s passing. I know how close you were to her and the wonderful and loving care you and Bill gave her at home. You, Bill and Julio are in my thoughts and prayers.
Robin Stroup
I am very sorry to hear about your loss. My prayers are with you.
Joel Dulberg
Dear Maria,
On behalf of myself and my family, I wish to offer my condolences to you and your family for the passing of your mother.
Your mother’s unique spirit and sense of goodness was reflected by your own care and devotion you offered as her loving daughter.
May she rest in peace. Joel
Alice Callahan
Dear Maria,
I am very sorry to learn of the passing of your mother. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Alice
Sharon V. DeSilva
Dear Maria and Family,
May God send all his love and peace to your family during this time of loss. Remember her smile, it will warm your soul. Her work has been done, and the father is happy with his child. He selected her to nourish the lives of many, with her beautiful heart, a thoughful mind, and her many great blessings to all. I thank her for her special bread pudding, it brought pleasure to my soul. The passing of one of God’s children always wakes up the mind, to realize that …the little things in life truly matters.Maria, your mom has blessed you with her love of life, and that is certainly a gift from HEAVEN.God Bless, Always!
Susan Fiehl
Dear Maria and Bill, Your mother’s beautiful light shines on in your lives forever as each generation is nourished by her loving strength. Thinking of you and your family with heartfelt sympathy. Peace and Love, Sue
Frances Viera
My deepest sympathy to you and your family. May God provide the strength you need during this difficult time. May she rest in peace.
Linda Brunt
Maria,
I have very fond memories of your Mom — she was a remarkable lady! My sincere sympathy for your loss.
Christina & Cesar
Tere, Bill, Julio and Julio Jr.,
What an incredible woman who gave so much to this world! You are a testament to her love, goodness and devotion. May you feel the love that surrounds you always and the love of another spirit who now watches over you.
Christina & Cesar
peter mullany
Maria …..Carol and I share your sorrow at the passing of your mother. I was not aware she was quite so accomplished. Her death marks an end to a rewarding, loving and, at times, arduous journey. So to is your life journey with Bill altered; cherish and reflect her love, sagacity and wisdom as the two of you move forward. May your mom rest in peace and may you and your family secure same. pete
Millie Segarra
Tere:
My heart and prayers are with you. You had a special bond wth your Mommy and you made her proud, and you were the best daughter any Mom would dream of having!! You took care of her, just like she took care of you when you were a little girl. Now she will protect you from heaven, and all of us. God Bless you, dear friend.
Maritza Lebron y familia
Querida Tere. Que tristeza al enterarme de la muerte de Ma. Isabel, como la conociamos. De parte de nuestra familia, acepta nuestro pesame. Los mantenemos en nuestras oraciones. Saludos y que Dios les de la fuerza que necesitan. God Bless you all.
Linda Kaplan
I am deeply sorry for the loss of your mother…she carved a great path in this life and the lessons of love she taught, live on in you and your family.
Jaime Lopez
Querida Tere,
Siento mucho que tu mamá ya no esté contigo en cuerpo, aunque sí en alma, y les hago llegar a ti, a Bill, a Julio y al resto de tu familia mi más sentido pésame. Tu mamá fue una persona muy especial y sé que debió haber sido una fuente de enorme satisfacción encontrarse rodeada de familia y amigos en sus últimos días y saberse amada y apreciada hasta el final. Fue una mujer excepcional y la seguirá siendo en las memorias de los seres que la quisieron tanto. Les mando un gran abrazo, un beso y todo mi cariño.
Jaime
Ileana Cintrón
Querida Tere: En nombre de mis padres, especialmente papi, amigo de tu familia materna, y en el mío, te doy el más séntido pésame por el fallecimiento de tu mamá. ¡Qué bendición que estuviste acompañándola hasta su último instante de vida! Ella vivirá por siempre pues estará en el corazón de todos ustedes. Un abrazo bien fuerte.
Ivette
Mi m’as sentido p’esame en estos momentos de dolor. Te queda la satisfacci’on de haberla tenido todos estos a~os acompa~’andoles. Que Dios la tenga en su gloria. Que descanse en paz. Un abrazo solidario.
Ive
Tere-What a trailblazer! Reading the obituary i learned things about her I never knew! Don’t forget we are all sending you and your family lots of love and affection and please know that although an only child, you have many brothers and sisters caring for you in this sad time in your life. xoxoxo
Antonia Ezechi
Dear Maria,
I am so sorry for your loss.
I am praying for you and for your mom’s beautiful soul to rest in God’s peace, Amen.
May God bless you and grant you fortitude. Amen.
Love, Antonia.