I am devastated and it breaks my heart to begin writing this. The unfortunate news of our dear friend Alma’s passing has saddened many deeply. We are considerately trying to raise enough funds to honor and celebrate the life of an amazing, strong, precious, and most of all, incredible woman, Alma Lopez, who recently gained her beautiful wings far, far too soon.

If you were lucky enough to have met Alma, you know she wasn’t just “in the room”… Alma WAS the room! She had an aura that made anyone and everyone feel at peace. Her presence was a gift, her smile was one of a kind, and her absence has now become a reminder of how important it really is to keep someone so special so close to our hearts. If you were one of the lucky ones in her life, and if she liked you, you already knew she had her own way of making you feel like family within a matter of minutes. She was the life of every single party. Even our students couldn’t help but laugh whenever she was around. She held the part of being the heart in every gathering, along with making sure everyone’s stomach was always full and content. If she wasn’t feeding you, she was at least making you laugh to the point your cheeks would hurt. She was the kind of person that you knew once she cared for you, her soul would never forget you. She was always there for those she loved, without any hesitations. She was able to turn what we consider just any “ordinary moment” into an unforgettable and memorable one. Beyond her humor and joy, she was a true mother figure, a real-life example of a mother who deeply loves her children. She was the sweetest person ever, so caring, extremely kind, a lot of crazy, the most fun, and most of all, an incredibly amazing mother. She was our family member and our lovely friend at the same time. Her children were her literal world, her pride and joy, and the bond Patricia and she shared was inseparable, probably closer than two peas in a pod! She was a humble woman; a good-hearted person full of nothing but pure love, joy, and endless amounts of strength!!

This GoFundMe is to help Patricia and her family during this incredibly difficult time, easing the financial burden of funeral and memorial expenses so they can focus on grieving, healing, and honoring a beautiful woman who gave so much love to everyone around her.

If you’re able to donate, share, or simply keep Patricia and her family in your thoughts and prayers, it would mean more than words can express. Every contribution—big or small—is deeply meaningful and appreciated.

Thank you for helping us celebrate a life that will never, and can never, be forgotten! Alma will only continue to be remembered with smiles, the best stories, and so much love.

09/21/1956 - 01/08/2026 -

The day our angel gained her wings. ✨

Funeral will be held at:

Daniel J. Schaefer Funeral Home

4123 4th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11232

Tuesday, January 13th, 2026.

From 3pm to 9pm.

Thank you to everyone who has supported. Sending nothing but positive prayers & blessings!

Xoxo,

Arlene Santiago