ALICIA ROUSSEAU

Mar. 10, 1949 - Apr. 10, 2021

Alicia (Mora) Rousseau passed away on April 10, 2021 due to complications from dementia.

She was born on March 10, 1949 i n Sinaloa, Mexico and emigrated to the United States at a y oung age, settling in Calexico. She attended local schools, graduating from Calexico High School in 1967. Being the first in her family to a ttend college she graduated from I.V.C and San Diego State University with associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees.

In 1971 Alicia began her teaching career with the El Centro Elementary School District where she remained for the next 40 years. In addition to her time at Desert Gardens and Lincoln, s he s pent the final decade of her tenure at H edrick Elementary School, retiring in 2011. Though she taught several grades over the years she spent the majority of her career teaching 5th grade where she could share her love of American History. Her students will recall their many class activities including their annual trips to San Diego, always taking care to a ttend a Padres baseball game.

In 1973 she married fellow teacher Bill Rousseau and together t hey raised two children, a daughter Bryanne and a son Randy. Her family was her greatest joy and she was always p roud of their accomplishments.

In addition to her charitable giving and other endeavors Alicia and Bill spent many years working on behalf of the El Centro Elementary Teacher’s A ssociation. Later when their children entered high school they spent several years working with The Great Spartan Band, eventually serving as presidents.

After retirement she devoted much of her time to her many hobbies and interests such as cooking, gardening, and traveling. Alicia had a lifelong love for animals and raised many Saint Bernard dogs. In her final years she also helped to care for the neighborhood’s stray cats.

Alicia t ouched countless l ives and believed her greatest accomplishment was to have made a lasting impact on her students. She was a devoted wife, m other, friend, and teacher whose incredible kindness and generosity will be missed by all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her parents Maria and Andrew M ora.

She is survived by her husband of nearly 50 years and their children.

In lieu of flowers, donations to organizations dedicated to animal welfare such as Dee’s Rescue and The Humane Society would be greatly appreciated.

Services will be private.