Alice Firmalo Una’Dia passed away peacefully on Friday, June 16, 2017 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Alice was born in Turlock, California, to John and Alice Michiyo Firmalo. John Firmalo was a farmer and labor contractor and Alice’s early life was spent in the farming communities of the San Joaquin Valley. She was the class valedictorian at LaVina Grammar School. Because of their Japanese ancestry, Alice’s family was briefly interned during World War II. She was deeply affected by this and later became a speaker at events commemorating the Japanese American Internment Experience.

Alice relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area after marrying her husband Tony Una’Dia, where the couple raised their family. Alice was a proud and loving grandmother to her six grandchildren who affectionately referred to her as “Granny Goose.” Alice’s favorite holidays were Thanksgiving and Christmas. During these times, she was happiest when opening her home to many who otherwise might have been spending these holidays alone. Many happy memories are shared among those who enjoyed her hospitality and friendship. She is very much missed and always in the hearts of those whose lives she touched.

Alice is survived by her husband, Tony Una’Dia. Her eldest son, Steven, preceded her in death; survived by his wife, Teresa, and daughter, Kayla. Alice’s other surviving children and their families are daughter, Debra, and her husband, Steve Wolowitz, their sons, Jeremy and Jordan, her younger son, Jeff and his wife, Sandy, and their children, Sarah, Samantha and Jacob. Alice is also survived by her siblings, Dorothy Tigson, Gloria Harvey, Jim Firmalo and Richard Firmalo. Alice was also preceded in death by her parents, brother, John Firmalo, and sister, Lily Lum.

A celebration of Alice’s Life will be held on Saturday, July 29, at 10:00 am at Jay Chapel, 1121 Roberts Avenue, Madera, CA 93637, followed by lunch at a local restaurant.

Should family or friends desire; in lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Alzheimers Association.

The Alzheimers Association – Ways to Donate:
To donate by mail, send a check to:
Alzheimer's Association
P.O. Box 96011
Washington, D.C. 20090-6011

To donate by phone, call 800.272.3900
To donate online, click on the link below:
https://act.alz.org/site/Donation2?df_id=32112&32112.donation=form1&

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