Our mom transitioned in the early hours on May 29, 2022, peacefully in her sleep. Eugenia Acosta Aflleje was born May 16, 1939, on the island of Guam, USA to Jose and Dolores Aflleje, . Eugenia was raised a Catholic and professed a love of Christ at an early age. Eugenia Aflleje and Albert Shukes were married in August 1959. They started their family the following year. In late 1972, after her husband’s retirement from US Navy Civil Service, the young family moved to San Clemente, California for approximately 1.5 years. Then from there they moved to Grants Pass, Oregon for 2 years. The damp cold winter climate was not to their liking so then they moved to Brownsville, Texas (about as southernmost as you can get in the US). The Rio Grande Valley is beautiful with orange groves and majestic palm trees, and the natural beauty of the fertile valley itself. Not to mention being very close to the beaches at South Padre Island making this area a great place to live! In December of 1976, Eugenia lost her husband to a fatal heart attack as he slept. The following year (1977) the family relocated to Chicago, Illinois to the home of Rudy Carlson. Most of the family (except Mom and Rudy) relocated to southern California by summer of 1997. Mom stayed in Chicago until late 1999 after Rudy’s death. Later on, circa 2004-2005, Mom and most of the family relocated from southern California to southwest Florida. Mom was a licensed cosmetologist. She went to and graduated from cosmetology school at age 50! She worked at a few salons but decided to work out of her home salon in Chicago until she later moved to California. Mom was a great cook! She learned to cook and sew at a very young age, I remember stories of how she used to wake up at 3AM to go to her aunt’s house to grind corn, and start the cook fire to cook food for the day at the direction of her aunt(s). On top of being a great cook she was also a great baker. Back in the day she baked the best homemade breads, cakes, cookies, rolls and pies you could ask for.
She learned how to sew and became quite good at sewing clothes for herself and her children. She enjoyed quilting and created colorful vibrant patterns. She loved to knit, crochet, and doing arts and crafts. Mom had a green thumb and loved gardening in the backyard. She loved roses, flowers and also her fruit trees – mangos being her favorite that she had much success growing. Mom enjoyed many hours at the Sanibel fishing pier with sons Jon and Jerry and numerous friends and family. She truly loved being near the ocean as it took her back to her island home where she had learned how to fish. She had many friends at the pier, and when one of their friends had a birthday they would all meet up at the pier and Mom would bring home cooked foods or deserts to the party. There was nothing Mom could not do! She was a go getter and was fearless.
In her new life, she will be greeted at the gates of Heaven by her husbands, Albert Shukes & Rudolph Carlson; parents, Jose Taitano Aflleje & Dolores Salas Acosta Aflleje; brothers: Manuel Acosta, Juan Acosta Aflleje, Jose Acosta Aflleje, Vicente Acosta Aflleje, Roque Acosta Aflleje and Alfred Acosta Aflleje; Sisters, Rita Acosta Aflleje Manibusan and Ana Aflleje Patterson; daughter,Tammy Sophie Shukes and grandson, Ryan Matthew Adam Tidwell (Tallie).
She is survived by her brother, David Acosta Aflleje; sister, Frances Aflleje Ochoa; sons, Arthur Shukes, Jonathan Shukes, Marcus Shukes and Jerry Shukes (Ana); daughter: Barbara Shukes Chatman (Charles); grandchildren, Michael Rogers (Tyshea), Jonathan Howe, Raeven Tidwell, Chase Chatman and Ellen Shukes; great grandchildren, Kayla Wilford, Alyssa Howe and Malia Rogers. She will be missed by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.
Mom, our hearts hurt that you’re not physically here with us. You have earned your Angel wings, Fly high! Mom, we are sure gonna miss you! There aren’t enough words in the dictionary to describe our loss. However, we know you are in God’s hands now and you are free from any illness or pain. We bid you so long and love you forever, until we meet again dearest Mom. You will never be forgotten, may you rest in Eternal Peace and we will see you on the other side.
The family would like to thank everyone for their expressions of love and support during this time of bereavement. Blessings and love to all, from The Shukes family.
A celebration of her life will be held Saturday, June 11, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at Fuller Funeral Home, 1625 Pine Ridge Rd. Naples, FL 34109.