Alicia Esperanza González, beloved daughter of Refugio González Jr. (Cuco) and Stella Ann James, was in a car accident that ultimately took her life a few days after her 25th birthday. A natural traveler since conception, she lived in three states before being born; conceived in Washington, many gestation months in California, last few weeks in Sitka, Alaska where she was born on August 6, 1998. She is the middle sister of her siblings which always defined her strong-willed personality and love for them each; three older – Brittni, Brentyn, Annabell and three younger – Alaina, Alexis, Isael. Alicia was a cultural beauty as she was Mexican and Native Alaskan Indian.
She lived primarily in Sitka where she attended public school, all the while learning about her Tlingít tribal ancestry and way of life. She is Kiks.ádi (Frog/Herring, Rock), Point House via matrilineal lines originating in Sheet’ká (Sitka) for thousands of years of the Raven moiety. Her Tlingít name was Kaachkaadu.aat, the name of a woman warrior who fought in the 1804 war against Russia. She gained an appreciation for song calling, drumming, and traditional dance. She was a member of G̱ájaa Héen Dancers, Sheet’ká Ḵwáan Dancers, Sitka Tribe of Alaska, and Tlingít and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska. A strong bloodline within her includes her great grandparents Annie Joseph and Peter James, and great-great grandparents Annie and Charlie Joseph who were tribal leaders of her grandfather’s clan. Charlie started the G̱ájaa Héen Dancers and was known for his love songs and speeches as an Orator, which were published in books on Tlingít history. She was very proud to discuss the beauty of her culture, often sharing it with family and friends.
Due to her strong-willed yet goofy side, she also enjoyed a rebellious life as a teen, until she went to Anchorage to attend the Alaska Military Youth Academy. Gaining a newfound respect and perspective on life, Alicia successfully graduated from the academy on August 26, 2016. Upon graduation, she returned to live with her grandparents in Juneau (AK) where she enrolled at Raven School of Correspondence (AK) and completed her studies receiving a high school diploma in 2017.
Alicia then made a call to her father asking to move down to California. Now as an adult, she was able to make independent changes to her life, which ultimately landed her in Wildomar, California living with her father and paternal grandparents. A short time thereafter, she enrolled at Palomar Community College (San Marcos, Ca) electing to study electrical engineering in hopes of working in the field one day, or becoming an electrician, as she loved to work with her hands. Working various jobs from factory work to military supply distribution, her last job was with Domino’s first as a second job delivery driver then working her way up to full-time General Manager. Driven, stubbornly independent, still rebellious, and yet maintaining to be her goofy sarcastic self, she fell in love while finding her path.
She enjoyed trying new cooking recipes and had in recent years incorporated traditional mexican dishes learned from her grandparents and/ or aunts/cousins. She loved exploring her local surroundings, attending concerts, video gaming with family/ friends, eye lashing, and working on traditional regalia. She enjoyed coming home to her fur babies and relaxing watching TV. Always goal driven, she aspired to travel internationally and explore all 50 U.S. states. She successfully traveled in Alaska, California, Nevada, Washington, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona.
La bonita, chistosa, orgullosa, trabajadora y bien querida Alicia, unfortunately succumbed to her injuries and passed away on August 16th, 2023, at Inland Valley Hospital in Wildomar, California, eleven days after her car accident which took place the day before her 25th birthday. Her caring and protective nature of life is shown through her decisions like that of electing to be an organ donor. In the very early hours of August 19th, 2023, she donated life and research opportunity as follows: her heart to a man in his 20’s, left kidney and liver to a woman in her 60’s, right kidney to a man in his 40’s, pancreas and corneas to research and train local surgeons. Furthermore, Alicia donated bone and ligament tissue which may restore quality of life to those that may have suffered traumatic injuries, joint injuries, cancerous tumors, back injuries, or degenerative disease helping many people walk, run, and live healthy lives again. This is fitting of her legacy as she enjoyed the outdoors and was always open for a walk, hike, or exercise.
She leaves behind her fur babies Peanut and Hunter whom she shared with boyfriend/ partner Daniel Gandara. Her mother Stella James, father Refugio González Jr., siblings Brittni James, Brentyn James, Annabell González, Alexis González Carter, Isaél González, and Alaina James. Grandparents Barbara James, John and Debi James, Refugio and Mary González. Nephews Spencer James, Alan Orbendorfer, Xzavier González, and niece Heavenleigh Carter. Many Cousins, Aunts, and Uncles in Mexico and the following U.S. States: Alaska, Illinois, Washington, Louisiana, Florida, and California.
