Obituary

Alicia Kohlbush Adams

Alicia Kohlbush Adams passed away on August 11th, 2023, with family by her side. She was 91 years old.

Alicia was born on November 13, 1931. She was the youngest of two children born to parents Herbert Stock Kohlbush and Julietta Esperanza Ortiz. She is pre-deceased by her parents and sister Juliet (Penee) Brown.

She spent her childhood with her family in Los Angeles, California and attended Marymount High School. Upon graduating, she attended the Wright McMahon Secretarial School in Beverly Hills, as well as the University of Southern California where she studied marketing and merchandising. She married her high school sweetheart Carl William Verheyen, Jr. in 1953. Alicia and Carl had four children together and raised their young family in La Canada-Flintridge, California.

Alicia is survived by her four children and their spouses, her eight grandchildren, and her three great-grandchildren. They are Carl (Carol) William Verheyen, III, their son Geoffrey (Cynthia) and granddaughter MacKenzie; Carolyn (Greg Nowell) Marie Verheyen, her daughters Shana and Kera and granddaughter Raven; Kenneth (Tera) Stock Verheyen, their son Kohlman and grandson Valor, daughter Stephanie (Bryce), and son Davis (Lillie); and Kathryn (Mark) Ann Ferdi and their children Nate (Hope) and Natalie. Alicia was affectionately known as Mottsy to her family and was truly the center of their lives. She was a constant and overflowing source of love, support, encouragement, generosity, joy and celebration – priceless and treasured gifts that will live on in their hearts forever.

In 1976 Alicia married John Broeg Adams. They enjoyed eight happy years together, spending time with family and friends, travelling and playing tennis until his untimely death in 1984.

Professionally, Alicia held her real estate license and worked for MacGregor Realty in LaCanada-Flintridge. She also was a representative for several clothing lines during market week in Los Angeles, a great match for her personal style and love of clothes. She was wonderfully creative, and excelled in crafting a welcoming home, a delicious meal, and a beautiful garden for her many friends and family to enjoy. In her later years, she moved to Irvine and then to Newport Beach. She took up painting and enjoyed spending time with fellow artist friends at her weekly art class. She loved to travel and adored her dogs.

Despite the many pursuits of her life, she would routinely tell anyone who asked that her greatest joy was being a mother. She overflowed with pride and love for her children and their families and made a point to invest in each of their lives in both practical and extravagant ways. Grandchildren events, family birthdays, dinner parties, milestone moments…she was there for it all, bringing her indelible mark of enthusiasm and sparkle. Her devotion was deep and constant in the lives of her family and will never be replaced or forgotten.

Alicia was a woman of faith, and her commitment to God was expressed by compassion, generosity, prayer and gratitude. She loved people and felt their hardships deeply. She loved to give, and she loved to give thanks. When tough times would come, she determined to be grateful for all the blessings the Lord had given. She had a choice, and she chose joy.

Mottsy loved life and didn’t want to miss a thing. She was the life of the party and the light of our lives. An inspiration to so many, it was impossible to know her and not be touched by her presence. Family, extended family and numerous friends mourn her loss, but her legacy of love has changed us forever.

Our sweet Mottsy, you are the sunshine of our lives…dance in eternal peace!