“I could have done that a hundred times by now.”
Ernestine “Tina” Garcia, a resident of Fairview, passed away March 10, 2021 peacefully at home surrounded by her family.
Born in Monte Vista, CO, she was the older daughter of Isaac and Aurelia Valdez. She grew up on the family farm surrounded with the love of grandparents, uncles, aunts, and many cousins. Her parents guided her in developing an unwavering faith and instilled a strong work ethic. She shared her mother’s love of cooking from scratch and her father’s prudent values which she in turn shared with her children and grandchildren. She learned to play the violin and piano as a child and music remained a big part of her life. Growing up, she was part of a foursome which included her aunts, Josie and Rosie, and a cousin, Rosana. They traveled, laughed, sang, and prayed together through the years and were affectionately called “The Golden Girls.”
It was on the farm that our parents met; one smile with her beautiful dimples must have captured his heart. They both rose early and she was usually dressed with styled hair, earrings, and lipstick on before the sun was up. Her boundless energy made multitasking her norm and she was rarely still. One of her favorite phrases was “I could have done that a hundred times by now.”
She kept an immaculate house and taught us to do the same; the first sound in the morning was usually a vacuum cleaner. Highly skilled with crochet hooks and a sewing machine, she made and mended our childhood clothes in addition to making quilts, doilies, and other needlework.
A farm girl at heart, gardening was also a passion that yielded produce to can, make wine, and bake pies. Everything she ate was “scrumptious.”
She never turned down a party and was usually the life of it. Her laughter and infectious giggle made everyone around her smile. She guided us, she herded us, and she kept us safe. She was a devoted mother and homemaker, and she often said she worked outside the home in order to send her children to Holy Cross Catholic School.
Her strong faith gave her support throughout her life. She and our dad were longtime parishioners of Santa Cruz de la Canada Parish. They spent many weekends in retreats through Cursillos and devoted their time to marriage enrichments. She was involved in the Knights of Columbus Ladies’ Auxiliary and also served as Chairwoman of Santa Fe County Democratic Party.
In later years she and our dad enjoyed traveling cross country in their RV and making pilgrimages abroad. Among their travels, her favorite destination was Jerusalem where she was able to retrace the footsteps of Jesus.
She is now reunited with those who have passed before her: her loving husband of 53 years, Eugenio “Gene” Garcia; her son, Eugene L. Garcia; her parents; her parents-in-law, Filiberto and Escolastica Garcia; two brothers, Timoteo Valdez and Art Valdez; aunt Rosie Lucero; sisters-in-law: Andrea Valdez, Mary Alice Valdez, Angie Valdez, Casilda Jaramillo, Consuelo Martinez, and Christine Garcia; brothers-in-law: Sam Abeyta, Martin Jaramillo, Joe Martinez, and Alfonso Graham.
She is survived by daughter-in-law, Olga Garcia; daughter Deborah Garcia (Mary Dorgan); son Russell Garcia (Mariana Daniels); daughter Yolanda Turner (Michael); two grandchildren: Erika Lee Turner and James Turner (fiancée Liz Cruz); three brothers: Ernesto Valdez, Gilbert Valdez, and Jake Valdez (Bernie); her only sister, Delma Abeyta; brother-in-law Gustavo Garcia, sister-in-law Angie Graham; a beloved aunt, Josie Martinez; a dear cousin, Rosana Leal; and numerous other cousins, nephews, nieces, and godchildren.
Our heartfelt thanks go to Wanda Blea and Mona Vigil who provided her with loving daily care and in the process became part of our family. Gratitude is also extended to staff at North Ridge Memory Care Center, Ambercare Hospice, and Rivera Funeral Home. We would be remiss not to mention her cat, Benz, who was always at her feet and brought much joy after our father’s passing.
A private visitation will be held for the family the morning of Thursday, March 18th. Friends and extended family are welcome to join The Rosary at Holy Cross Catholic Church of Santa Cruz Thursday, March 18th at 10:15 a.m., Mass at 11:00 a.m., and burial to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in El Llano.
|
About |
|---|---|
| Name | Tina Garcia |
| Date of Death | March 10th, 2021 |
| Home Town | Monte Vista, CO, US |
| Other City | Española, NM, US |
| Favourite Saying | “I could have done that a hundred times by now.” |
|
Memorial |
|
|---|---|---|
 |
||
| Funeral Home | Rivera Family Funeral Home - Española | |
| Address |
305 Calle Salazar Española NM 87532 United States |
|
Error
Sign in to Keeper:
Send as Guest:
published a tribute .
Yolanda & Mike, Erika and James ~
Hold on to the many wonderful memories you have of your dear and very precious mom and grandma, and let them guide you during this time of sadness. You're in our thoughts and prayers.
With our deepest sympathy,
Michael & Terry, Josh, and DeLores
published a comment .
My deepest condolences on the passing of your mother. Your Mom was a great lady and she so loved her family. May God Bless You and give you some comfort at this trying time.
published a comment .
My sincerest sympathy on the loss of your mom. May she rise in His eternal glory ~
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
published a tribute .
To the entire Garcia family. My deepest condolences. You Yolanda Garcia Turner your mom was always so good to me all those years ago when we were in our teens. May she rest in peace. I will always remember that beautiful smile she always had.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
published a tribute .
Our condolences to the Garcia family on the passing of your wonderful mother. Ernestine was a joyous and positive person that treasured life and the people she encountered. The friendship that Eugenio, Tina, Gene “Largo and Olga, Deborah, Yolanda, and Russell and their families will always be very fondly remembered.
Miguel “Mike” Sandoval
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
published a tribute .
It is with sincere sympathy that we send our thoughts and prayers to the Garcia family. Walter has such warm memories of their short visits when he would pick up her vehicle for servicing. I, Anna, wouldn't know where to start. She felt like family to me. She always made me feel welcomed. She was a fantastic cook, never without something to offer you. A loving and caring wife, mother, and friend to all. I loved running into her cause she always had a bright and happy smile or said something to make you laugh. Her goodness warmed my heart and soul. May she be singing with the angels and in the company of God and family that preceded her. May God be with you Olga, Deb, Mary, Russell, Yolanda, Michael, Erika & James.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
published a tribute .
We express our warm condolences to all of Ernestine’s survivors!
May she be reunited with all of her loved ones in Our Lord’s Paradise.
Sylvia & Jerry Atencio & Family
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
published a tribute .
Our condolences on the passing of Mrs. Garcia. She was a dear, sweet lady. I enjoyed my weekly visits to take her Holy Communion. She never forgot her prayers and would pray right along with me. She is surely resting in peace in Our Lords heavenly kingdom. May God bless each member of her family and care givers, and grant you peace and comfort.
Elmer and Alice Alarid Lucero
published a comment .
Russell, Yolanda, Deborah and Olga, Our sincere condolences on the passing of your Mother. She was always so good to us when we were at Holy Cross elementary and McCurdy junior/high school. God Bless each and everyone of you and may her soul rest in eternal Peace!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
published a tribute .
Our sincerest condolences to the entire Garcia Family. Wishing you all peace and comfort during this time. Ms. Garcia was a kind, loving and generous person with a soft twinkle in her eyes. Rest in peace Ms. Garcia. With our sincerest sympathy. The Sopyn Family
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
published a tribute .
Russell and Garcia Family
I am so sorry for your loss
You are in my thoughts and prayers
Geri (Quintana) Thielen
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
published a tribute .
She was a beautiful soul whom touched many a heart including mine. When we would visit my heart was warmed by her very presence. The world lost an Angel to heaven with her passing. May God bless her entire family and bring them comfort in knowing she is celebrating, smiling and making heaven a better place. I will forever miss you Mrs. Garcia!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
published a tribute .
There’s a special place in all of our hearts for our mothers, just like there’s a special place in every mother’s heart for her children. The heart that your mother had for others is a rare gift to the many people who had the privilege to know her and be blessed by her. You must continue to carry her memory in that special place in your heart. We are sincerely sorry for the loss of your mother, please accept our condolences.
published a comment .
Although I did not know her, she sounds like an amazing, warm and talented lady. Many condolences and prayers to the family.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
published a tribute .
To Tina’s Family
We were sorry to hear of your loss,
Tina was a beautiful person, always happy to see her at
Church,
She can be with both her GENE’S
And Our Savior Jesus Christ
PRES &. MARIA
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Our heartfelt condolences to the Garcia family. Sending love and light during this difficult time. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. From all of us here at Rivera's of Espanola, NM
-Theresa, Gabriel, Amber, Lou
published a comment .
My condolences and prayers to Yolanda, Debbie, Russell, Olga Garcia, and all her family on the passing of Ernestine. She was a hard working person whom I met at her work and was so friendly always very cheerful and made you laugh with her beautiful smile and kind heart she had. She deeply loved her children and had a special place in her heart for Olga, her daughter inlaw and her children. Now she has gone to meet both her beloved husband and son Gene, and the rest of her family that have gone beyond. May the Lord grant peace and consolation to her entire family as you all took great care of her during her life. May all the fond memories she left bring you all consolation. My prayers for the family in this difficult time.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
published a tribute .
She was a loving, kind and generous person. I will always remember her beautiful smile and warm heart
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This Family has Entrusted their Care to:
|
published a comment .
Read More