Our beloved daughter, mother, sister and wife, Alicia Giuliani Guajardo, 60, of Arlington, Va., passed away on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at the Virginia Hospital Center, surrounded by her family, after a courageous battle with lung cancer.
Born Alicia Ann Giuliani on June 21, 1962 in Morgantown, she is the daughter of Shirley Jean Giuliani and the late Dr. Louis James “Doc” Giuliani of Westover.
After graduating in 1980 from St. Francis de Sales High School in Morgantown, she attended and graduated from West Virginia University in 1985 with a bachelor’s degree and with honors in French and international studies. She then went on to study in France, and upon completion, moved to Washington D.C. Her desire to be a humanitarian led her to the Peace Corp for nearly two tours, where she began volunteering and serving in Chad and Niger as an English teacher and instructor. Upon her return home, she began her work at the American Red Cross in 1991, in which her career encompassed over 30 years of complete and unrelenting service and devotion.
Her dedication for humanity also extended to her private life. She was named Citizen of the Year by the Arlington Public Schools and was duly recognized by the Parent Teacher Association for her valuable contributions at Drew Model School, where their children attended. And following the devastating death of her son, Lucas, Alicia faithfully committed herself to the enormous task of suicide prevention and youth mental health through her work with the Suicide Prevention Alliance of Northern Virginia.
Another part of her life was her love for dancing. From baby ballet at Beth Barnes Dance School, both as a student and then teacher, to joining the West Virginia University Dance Ensemble, where she was instrumental in creating and teaching individual pieces. Alicia also practiced tap dancing and, later in life, she and Giuliana teamed up and rediscovered tap dancing together for the delight and enjoyment of family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her father, Dr. Louis James Giuliani, of Westover, and her beloved son, Lucas Martino Guajardo, of Arlington, Va.
Survivors include her two children, Antonio Guajardo, of West Palm Beach, Fla., and Giuliana Guajardo, of Arlington, Va., and her husband, Rodrigo Guajardo, of Arlington, Va.; her mother, Shirley Jean Giuliani, of Westover; her five brothers: Mark Giuliani and wife Vicky, of Orlando, Fla., James Giuliani and wife Karen, of Morgantown, Eric Giuliani and wife Sandy, of Westover, Chris and wife, Leighann, of Morgantown, and Louis Jay “L.J.” and wife Lisa, of Morgantown; and her loving nieces and nephews and her many friends.
A memorial service will be celebrated at Everly-Wheatley Funeral Home, 1500 West Braddock Road, Alexandria, Va., at 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 30, with the Rev. William Niemi residing. She will be laid to rest at the Peace Gardens Mausoleum in Morgantown.
Family and friends will be received from 10 a.m.-12:45 p.m. prior to the service time at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Red Cross, and mailed to American Red Cross of the National Capital & Greater Chesapeake Region, 8550 Arlington Blvd., Fairfax, VA 22031.
Arrangements by Everly-Wheatley Funeral Home.
