Tomasa Franco Garcia

Tomasa (neé Franco) Garcia was born in Calexico, California, on June 8, 1932. She died in Merced, California, on March 13, 2023. Her earliest memories are of the family’s move to Merced and then living in Montgomery Labor Camp surrounded by fig orchards. Following her marriage, she and her husband Manuel V. Garcia settled first in Camp CPC in Planada, before moving to Merced and ultimately buying their forever home on Merced’s Westside. In the mid-1960s, Tomasa worked for several years as a meter maid for the Merced Police Department. After her three children left home, she followed her dream of getting a degree. A lifelong learner, she attended Merced College and Stanislaus State University, where she earned her BA in bilingual/bicultural education and an MA in counseling. Tomasa (Tomi to friends and family), began her career as a counselor with Catholic Community Services. Within a year, she embarked on a 20-year career with Merced County Mental Health. In the beginning, she worked in their substance abuse program, but the latter part of her career was spent in geriatric counseling. As part of her role in the department, she designed and implemented a peer geriatric counseling program within the unit. A member of the Spanish-Speaking Caregivers of Merced County, in recognition of her work in the community, she was presented with that organization’s Spanish-Speaking Caregiver of the Year award for 1991. Following her retirement, she and her husband traveled extensively throughout the southwest, particularly Arizona, the Bay area, the Monterey Peninsula, and San Diego. They also loved going to the casinos in Reno. She is predeceased by her husband, Manuel V. Garcia; and her siblings, Mike Martinez, Louie Franco, Rose Franco, Vera Yepez, Connie Mohr, and Barney Franco. She leaves her daughter (Karen) Diana Garcia (Michael McNew) of San Diego; Daniel Garcia (Wendy Ralff) of Merced; Duane Garcia of Sacramento; Gina Lieb of San Diego, who she called daughter; eight grandchildren; eleven great- grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, April 15, 2023 at 11:00 am at Calvary Cemetery, Merced, California with a Celebration of Life following at 12:00 pm at Stratford Evans Reception Hall located at 1490 B Street, Merced, California. Funeral arrangements have been made with Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.stratfordevansfunerals.com for the Garcia family.