Alice M Balbuena

Ms. Alice M. Balbuena, 76, died Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at the Boca Raton Regional Hospital in Boca Raton, Florida.

Family and friends are invited to the visitation in the Kowalski Funeral Home, 515 Roselle Street, Linden on Tuesday, May 11^th. from 10:30AM-12:00Noon.  At the conclusion of the visitation, there will be a prayer service in the funeral home.  Additionally, the prayers of committal will precede Alice’s burial in the family plot in the Rahway Cemetery in Rahway, New Jersey. 

In lieu of flowers, donation to the Diabetes Center of the Boca Raton Regional Hospital Foundation in Alice’s memory would be greatly appreciated by the family.  The donation may be sent to the Boca Raton Regional Hospital Foundation, 650 Glades Road, Boca Raton, Florida 33486.  Please indicate in the check memo that the donation is for the Diabetes Center in memory of Alice or you may call 561-955-4142 to make a donation by credit card, again indicating that it should be used for the Diabetes Center.

Alice, the daughter of the late Jennie Ditzel Balbuena (2010) and the late Alexander J. Balbuena (1974) was born at home in Linden, New Jersey by the light of a candle.  Alice lived in Linden, New Jersey for forty-seven years before relocating to Florida in 1992 where she settled in Deerfield Beach, Florida twenty-nine years ago. 

At the age of 17, Alice began working for the N.J. Bell Telephone Company. After 29 years, she retired in 1991 as an Accounting Supervisor. Devoting much

of her time to the church, she was a Sunday school teacher at Grace Episcopal Church in Linden N.J and a lector at St. Nicholas Episcopal Church in Pompano Beach Florida. She was also a member of the Episcopal Church Women (EPC). Most recently, Alice had spent many years as a volunteer at the Boca Raton Regional Hospital's Diabetes Center.

After retiring Alice enjoyed traveling, taking her mom to Hawaii, San Francisco, and Lake Tahoe. You could often find her driving up and down the East Coast visiting her family and friends. She loved talking on the phone! While at home, you could rely on Alice to find you the best deals at the local grocery store or catch you up on the latest drama on Days of Our Lives. She was a lifelong football fan. Always backing her Miami Dolphins, holding season tickets for many years, and even getting to meet some players.

Alice loved to cook. Her finger licking dishes and desserts were loved by all. If you knew Alice, you knew that the recipe for her lemon meringue pie was unmatched. She found great joy in testing out new recipes and making them her own. She was the go-to for any advice related to cooking or family recipes. Many often joked that Arlo Guthrie’s song, Alice’s Restaurant was penned for her. 

However, what Alice loved most was an amazingly simple thing in life that cost nothing but reaped enormous rewards, and that was spending time with her family. She was always ready for a trip to Disney or Long Boat Key. Attending every special event that she could, Alice was there not only to enjoy but also to capture every moment with her camcorder on her shoulder. Her youngest great nieces could not wait for a visit from “Aunty A” to listen to her stories, look through her pictures, or play a quick game of Go Fish or War. In the last few years, as it became harder for Alice to travel, she still never missed out, becoming a virtual attendee using Duo whenever possible. 

In addition to her parents, Alice was predeceased by her two sisters, Gladys “Cher” Reinoehl and Linda M. Barbara.

Alice is survived by her sister, Pamela Kelleman and her husband, Joseph; her brother-in-law, Frederick Reinoehl; her nieces and nephews, Michele Figueroa, Freddie Reinoehl, Heather Whitmer, Alex Reinoehl, Catherine Reinoehl, Stacy Figueiredo and Rachel Kollasch and her numerous great nieces and great nephews.

She touched many lives with her generosity and passion for life. Alice, we will always carry your memory in our hearts.

As per the regulations imposed through the State of New Jersey, there will now be a maximum of one hundred and fifty people allowed in the funeral home and the church at one time and face protection is suggested.  We thank you for your understanding during this time of transition.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.