Pilar Navarrette Garcia

After a long and full life, our beloved mother Pilar (“Pili” to her close friends)

Navarrette Garcia, 96 years old, passed away on March 26, 2011. A resident of Visalia for the past 69 years, Pilar spent her last years living with her daughter Alice M. Bilvado whom became her primary care provider.

She was born on June 7, 1914 in Coyame, Mexico to Florencio and Petra Arroyo Navarrette. She was one of four siblings: Miguel, Luisa, and Florencio. In the early years she was raised in Sierra Blanca, Texas until her family moved to Otis, a small farming town outside of Carlsbad, New Mexico. The family unit increased when they adopted first cousin’s Blasa and later, Ysidoro Navarrette after a family tragedy. As a young girl she was given the opportunity others did not have, in attending school wither younger brother, which were segregated and completed the equivalent of an 8th grade

Education. She excelled academically and in sports where she proudly displayed ribbons that she won at track meets. As a young woman, she found employment as a domestic worker with a local rancher’s family in the area and a business owner. Pilar married her husband Pedro Nieto Garcia in 1935 where she and her newly acquired family lived and worked as sharecroppers. In 1937 during the Great Depression they joined other family members and relocated to Reseda, CA with an infant daughter and their extended family. A few years later her immediate family also chose to join them, which greatly improved her quality of family life. The family unit grew to seven children and she was preceded in death by her first born daughter, Olga (at birth); son, Enrique (infant); son, Orlando and daughter, Elsie and her husband Pedro; one brother Miguel and sister-in-law; Mary, sister Luisa and brother-in-law, Benito.

Together they raised a family and made their home in Visalia after living in Bakersfield, Woodlake/Ivanhoe surrounding areas. Pilar was primarily a homemaker, but often would work side by side with her husband or worked doing part-time housekeeping for elderly neighbors. Also, whenever a new grandchild arrived, she would be on the first bus or be escorted to give a hand and a labor of love to that household. She also enjoyed arts and crafts at the local North Community Center and maintained her colorful gardens.

She was a long time member of Holy Family Catholic Church. Pilar is survived by her daughter, Alice M. Garcia Bilvado of Santa Paula; two sons, Peter Garcia and Henry (Rick) Garcia; brother, Florencio and sister-in-law, Rita Navarrette of Visalia and many precious grandchildren locally and in Santa Paula, Houston, Texas and two great-grandchildren plus other nephews and nieces with multitude of relatives and close friends, whom she loved dearly.

The Holy Rosary will be prayed at Miller Memorial Chapel, Visalia, Sunday, April 3rd, 6:30 p.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Family Catholic Church, Monday, April 4th, 10:00 a.m. Visitation is at Miller Memorial Chapel on Sunday 2-6:30 p.m. Condolences may be offered at www.millerchapel.com

Arrangements under the direction of Miller Memorial Chapel, Visalia, CA.