Tina Garcia

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.