ALICIA L. DICOCHEA

In Loving Memory: Alicia Lugo Dicochea Alicia Lugo Dicochea, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and lifelong advocate for her community, passed away peacefully at the age of 96 on October 24, 2025, in Los Baños, California. Born in 1929 in Cutler, California, to Juan and Maria Lugo, Alicia was the youngest of five children. Orphaned at a young age, she and her siblings were raised by family friend Carmelita Quiñonez. From an early age, Alicia worked in the fields picking grapes, figs, and tomatoes--experiences that shaped her deep empathy for farmworkers and her lifelong commitment to serving others. At fifteen, while working in a tomato packing shed, she met Jesús "Jess" Dicochea. The two married three years later and went on to raise ten children: Sal Dicochea, John Dicochea, Norma Gossett, Daniel Dicochea, Diane Diaz, Gilbert Dicochea, Theresa Segura, Maria Garcia, Alicia Lopez, and Lisa Aguas. Together, they built a home rooted in love, hard work, faith, and service. In 1965, Alicia and Jess settled in Los Baños, where she spent more than six decades giving back to her community. A founding and longtime board member of what became Golden Valley Health Center...[more]

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rs, Alicia dedicated over 45 years of service to transforming a single farmworker clinic into a network of more than 30 healthcare facilities serving families across Merced and Stanislaus Counties. Her civic involvement extended beyond healthcare. Alicia served on the Los Baños Hospital Board, the City Planning Commission, and as a court interpreter, college instructor, and advocate for migrant education. She was also a member of the national board of NAFO (National Association of Farmworkers Organization) and the state board of GCEP, which later became CVOC (Central Valley Opportunity Center) --an organization that continues to serve the community today. She passionately championed access to affordable healthcare for farmworkers, minorities, and underserved families--because she had lived those struggles herself. As she often said, "I didn't read about it or hear about it. I lived it. And when you have lived hardship, you feel compassion for others." A devoted member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Alicia was active in the Guadalupana Society, Bereavement Committee, and several other parish ministries, offering support, prayer, and compassion to those in need. Her lifetime of service earned her numerous honors, including Merced County Volunteer of the Year (2009), the "Latina Making a Difference" Award, Los Baños Citizen of the Year (1995), and a Lifetime Achievement Award from Golden Valley Health Centers for more than 45 years of leadership and service. She also received the Benemerenti Medal (Papal Award) from the Vatican for distinguished lifetime service to Catholic principles, the Church, and society, and was recognized by the California State Legislature, U.S. House of Representatives, and U.S. Senate for her lifelong dedication to public service. Alicia will be remembered for her unwavering humility, faith, and generosity. Guided by her belief in "getting involved whenever there is a need," she poured herself into the service of others--leaving behind a legacy of compassion that continues to strengthen the lives and communities she touched. She is survived by her seven children, twenty-seven grandchildren, fifty-three great-grandchildren, and extended family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jess Dicochea, and her sons, John, Sal, and Daniel Dicochea. Alicia will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who knew and loved her. Funeral services will be held at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Los Baños. For service details and to share a tribute or memory, please visit: https://www.online-tribute.com/Alicia-Dicochea