Janice Ruth (Pfleger) Aliaga passed away peacefully in her home May 11, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones. She was born March 27, 1947, in Syracuse, New York, the oldest child and sister to six younger brothers whom she loved dearly. She was a graduate of Middletown High School North.
Her childhood was spent riding the family horses around rural (at the time) Middletown and watching out for her brothers. Janice also lived in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Hoffman Estates, Illinois, before returning to Middletown for the remainder of her life.
Janice worked as secretary for the John F. Pfleger Funeral Home for over 35 years.
She spent the last 37 years of her life married to her soul mate, Eduardo Aliaga. They spent those years traveling the world, visiting her beloved granddaughters, and supporting those she loved. She left her mark in the communities of Cajamarca and Chiclayo, Peru, with her generosity and donations to the needy.
Her favorite hobbies were dancing, swimming in the pool, and spending time with her friends and family. She was a member of Palumbo’s Dance Studio, where she made lasting friends whom she cherished the remainder of her life.
She had a servant’s heart, always putting the needs of others before her own. Whether through quiet acts of kindness or unwavering support for her family and friends, her life was a testament to humility, love and generosity.
She leaves behind her loving husband, Eduardo Aliaga; sons Edward (Angela) Aliaga and Robert Vachris III; brothers John (Pat) Pfleger Jr., Greg (Kate) Pfleger, Thomas (Christine) Pfleger and Christopher (Kathy) Pfleger; granddaughters Madison (Austin) Brown, Sabrina Vachris, and Colette Vachris; many nieces and nephews, many grand-nieces and grand-nephews; and her good friends Mary (Antonio) Olivodoti, Janet (Albert) Balukas and Joyce (Jim) Pisciotta.
Janice was preceded in death by her parents, John and Elizabeth Pfleger, her ex-husband Robert Vachris Jr. and brothers Mark Pfleger and Matthew Pfleger.
Visitation was held May 14 at the John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown.
A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 15, at St. Mary, Mother of God Church. A celebration of life will be held in Janice’s memory later in the summer.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to her favorite charity, Tuxedo Hearts Boston Terrier Rescue at 66 Stanford Road East, Pennington, NJ 08534 or Venmo: @tuxedohearts.
The article originally appeared in the May 15 – 21, 2025 print edition of The Two River Times.
