Mercedes Alfonzo de Vallejo (Abiba)

​Mercedes Alfonzo de Vallejo, of Fort Lauderdale, FL, passed away at Broward General Hospital on Thursday, March 9, 2023, at the age of 89.

 

She was born in Caracas-Venezuela, on July 11, 1933, the daughter of late Mercedes Vaz de Alfonzo and Cesar Alfonzo De La Torre, and was the last of twelve children.

Mercedes graduated from Colegio San Jose de Tarbes in Caracas, where she was a member of the Honor Society. She earned a degree in Psychology from Universidad Central de Venezuela.

After graduation, Mercedes worked with “Ciudad de los Muchachos” (Boy’s Town), a growing non-profit organization in Caracas, where she immediately made an impact with her work ethic and dedication to this lovely cause, which gave a home to hundreds of homeless children. She moved with her parents to Madrid-Spain, where she married the love of her life, the late Eugenio Vallejo Iniguez. The young couple moved back to Caracas where they raised two sons, Cesar and Xavier. For over three decades, from the early 1970s to the early 2000s, Mercedes worked together with her late husband on the media outlets of several non-profit organizations, including “Revista Campamento” the official magazine of the Boys Scouts Association of Venezuela, “Revista Nuevo Mundo” a magazine of the Catholic Church in Venezuela, and “Revista Alitas” the media outlet of the Girl Scouts of Venezuela. During this time, they also cared for their family and traveled the world with their sons.

She retired to Florida in 2001, where she enjoyed making memories with her grandchildren, Emily & Michael, to whom she was known as "Abiba." Mercedes will be remembered for her infectious laugh, great sense of humor, and her outgoing personality. She was loved by many and will be missed by all who knew her.

 

Mercedes was a devout Catholic, consecrated to Christ through the Blessed Virgin Mary, an act she renewed often. Her faith informed her and her late husband’s work in the pro-youth social causes mentioned above.

Mercedes was a kindhearted woman of action. She was always willing to help and assist everyone around her, being very generous with her time, her love, and her energy. She made a significant impact on everyone who knew her. Mercedes just recently became a US Citizen and attended her naturalization oath with great joy and pride, being the oldest member of her group.

Besides her parents, she was also predeceased by nine brothers, Julio, Carlos, Alfonso, Oswaldo, Raul, David, Ricardo, Atilio, and Arnaldo, and two sisters, Rebeca and Beatriz.

Survivors include her two sons: Cesar Vallejo Alfonzo and Xavier Vallejo Alfonzo. Her daughter-in-law Lori Vallejo Fuller, her grandchildren Emily Pope Vallejo and Michael Vallejo Fuller, her grandson-in-law Aaron Joseph Pope, and her great-grandchild Samuel Alfonzo Pope Vallejo.
 

Vigil Service:
Thursday, March 30, 2023, 6:30 - 9:00 pm
Serenity Funeral Home
1450 S State Rd. 7
North Lauderdale, FL 33068

 

Funeral Mass:
Friday, March 31, 2023, 10:00 am
Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery – Mausoleum Chapel
1500 S State Rd. 7,
North Lauderdale FL 33068
 

Internment of Remains:
Follows immediately after Funeral Mass (approx. 11:00 am)
Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery – Mausoleum
1500 S State Rd. 7,
North Lauderdale FL 33068