Alejandra Gomez "Alexandria" Alcala

Alejandra Gomez “Alexandria” Alcala, 102, Topeka, passed to her eternal rest at 6:22 a.m., Monday, September 18, 2017.

She was born on Palm Sunday, March 28, 1915, in Topeka the daughter of Basilio and Matias (Gonzalez) Gomez.

Alejandra was a graduate of Topeka Catholic High School.

She was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, the Altar Society at the church and was a Fiesta Mexicana volunteer for more than 30 years. She was born five months after the church was established. She was one of the original Fiesta dancers in the group that came to be known as the Belles of 33, and was the Queen for the 16th of September Mexican Independence Day celebration in 1934. Alejandra was a founding member and past president of Our Lady of Consolation Chapter of the Third Order of St. Augustine. She loved to travel. Chicago; Mexico City; Chihuahua; Los Angeles; San Francisco, Washington D.C.; New York City and Madrid, Spain were some of her stops.

Alejandra married Raymond G. Alcala on June 9, 1940 in Topeka. After 61 years of marriage, he preceded her in death on July 3, 2001. Survivors include sons, David, Gabriel and Ramon; daughters, Olga Esquivel, Alicia Florez, Graciela Hernandez, and a sister, Aurora Moreno of Long Beach, California. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.  She had eleven siblings, brothers, Juan, Felipe, Tomas, Chema, Miguel, Nacho, and Tito; and sisters, Josefina, Ramona, Carmen and Tencha, who preceded her in death.

Throughout her 102 years of life from birth to death, Alejandra never lived further than one mile from the Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. As a young adult, prior to marriage, her family home occupied what is today the church’s sanctuary (1010 East Crane Street).

Alejandra will lie in state after 2:00 p.m. Thursday at Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home where a Parish Rosary will be prayed at 6:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Friday at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church or Midland Care Hospice sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Avenue, Topeka, KS 66603.