Maria Cristina Garcia

The daughter of José Guadalupe Villarreal Ruiz and Velia Garza Canales was born and raised in Monterrey, Mexico. Maria had nine brothers and sisters. She graduated from Incarnate Word University and received a Master’s Degree from Webster University. Maria married the love of her life, Arthur Dave Garcia, on July 13, 1968.

Maria began a 20-plus-year career with the Defense Contract Audit Agency before retiring in 2009. Maria was a Senior Auditor at the San Antonio DCAA Office. As a Senior Auditor, Maria worked with small and large companies in the region. Her assignments included auditing companies such as Southwest Research Institute, Boeing, Pratt & Whitney and others. She also provided auditing and accounting support to the Resident Support Investigative Team, which provides support to the ARMY Criminal Investigation Division.

Maria was the “mother” at the office, cooking lunch, and advising the new employees on any workload matters. Maria was a great mentor, always willing to help out those requiring her knowledge and experience. More than a co-worker and mentor, Maria was a true friend.

She loved her family and opened her home to everyone. Her brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, cousins and extended relatives were a constant presence in her life, sharing their love and being part of her daily life. Maria loved to cook, with her favorite holiday being Thanksgiving which brought family from all over to her home in San Antonio. When she retired she could always be found with her grandkids.

Maria enjoyed scrapbooking for all her kids and grandkids. She collected spoons. She loved tending her plants and garden. She tutored nieces and nephews. She believed in the value of education, with all four of her children graduating from college.

She enjoyed traveling with her husband and family. She was active in sports as a youth. She was headstrong and wasn’t shy when it came to sharing her opinion. She was a fierce negotiator in dealing with business and financial transactions. She was a central figure in the lives of everyone she touched.

Maria is survived by her four children, including Arthur Jr. and Miguel, and eight grandchildren, including Julia, Ava, Jakob and Chloe.

The family will receive loved ones at a visitation from 5-7 p.m. with the Rosary to be recited at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March. 7, 2024 at Porter Loring Mortuary, 2102 North Loop 1604 East, San Antonio, TX.

Funeral mass will be celebrated Friday, March 8 at 10:30 a.m. at Saint Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, 1602 Thousand Oaks Dr.

Interment will follow at 12 p.m. at Holy Cross Cemetery, 17501 Nacogdoches.