A very well written article on my sister by one of her colleagues from El Nuevo Herald Newspaper - Miami

 

My Sister

A truly and remarkable human being who helped many people

 

A tribute to her memory

One of our favourite jokes revolved around the “American Academy”...

We both referred to it to a technical school for adults who offer training courses in design, mechanics, cosmetology and air conditioning, in Sabana Grande Boulevard, a pedestrian mall, with high heritage value, in my native Caracas.

When Nohemi Alarcon was honouring presidents of Latin American countries or was receiving an award for her tireless community service or did an excellent journalistic reporting or was advising national organizations, I said, jokingly, that thanks to her studies at the academy, these all could reap such gains, alluding to her humble origins in the Venezuelan plains and after that in the cosmopolitan cities.....we just looked at each other and we both exploded with laughter, "The Academy", it was ratified sarcastically. "The American Academy"......

On May 14, I received an email in which she shared with her friends about her daughter’s pleasant news and her academic progress. Her daughter, Liz Rebecca, who is her mirror and most fruitful harvest, upon completion of her “Fulbright” program, one of the most prestigious in the world, and Costa Rica, went to graduate in one of the best universities of the world in International Relations.

"I cannot stop thinking about how rewarding it has been to see it go as far in life for me, she said."It was only a few days ago that I took her to school, to soccer games, piano and swimming lessons, or when she did not answer my questions unless made in Spanish...then she was about three years old ... :-)".

The fact that you have been a mother, Nohemi, all the emotional tribulations that you face in raising your child practically alone, is almost a miracle.

An email in May last year mentioned what her other daily challenges were with unknown medical treatments on the horizon yet to heal after her first cancer evolution....

"But it is news like this, plus the blessing of a good job and true friendship,  that God constantly reminds me of the endless motivation to keep me going," she said.

Nohemi went ahead against all odds. With superhuman stamina she overcame every hospital to be freed of cancer. But complications of surgical procedures, in addition to other health conditions, opened the door for an angel to come down to pick her up and take her through the bright light to eternity. She was only 46 years old.

At that time she lived to the fullest, she enjoyed every moment with faith in God and love for people, neighbours and others. She left behind a trail of legacies, as a mother, daughter, sister and professional. Her colleagues at the Herald Newspaper admired her for her dedication and commitment to truth and justice that every day, when readers and viewers saw and read the news in the papers and on television, will not forget the sweetness that radiated in her appearances.

For the privileged ones who met her and believe me there are many that shared laughter and tears with her, plus the legacy she leaves behind with all of us, she was above all, an extraordinary friend. She was loyal, discreet, open, unconditional, reliable, tolerant, gracious, supportive, compassionate, to name a few of her virtue.

I used to say to her, “buddy”, I do not know how many friends you really want!!!!!

For us, her departure leaves behind an irreplaceable voice. But that does not stop how her presence was felt. Her mother, Dora, asks us not to forget it.....

I met her the first day I set foot in the drafting room of the Herald Newspaper, in summer 1998. Since then she has walked past me without abandoning me and in my dark times, when she saw pain in my eyes she was there for me with a smile. I would think that I, too, have been there present to support the heavy burden of her difficulties.

Among a trove of anecdotes I remember I was a fixed invited “guest” to her Christmas dinner party and she would cook salmon and vegetarian lasagne, especially for me.

She used to say: Daniel is the only Orthodox Jewish who celebrates Christmas... the other guests used to laugh at it and ask me, jokingly, are you Orthodox???..., of course, I am not Orthodox. After the Christmas midnight church bell strokes she would not let me leave her home without a Christmas gift for me.

I just read the email on Liz Rebecca and I said "WOW!, awesome your daughter is really a genius!

And she reminded me of course to send the news to the American Academy administrative office and check on “the generational impact of her education from her mother’s academy"

Not coincidentally the academy's motto is "always be the best" because there is no other way to describe who Nohemi Alarcon was.

Now, you're leaving too high the name of the academy in the celestial heights -

 

Isn’t it right, Nohemi???

 

Daniel Shoer Roth
dshoer@elnuevoherald.com