Josefina Garcia

Josefina Garza Garcia was born on April 19, 1932, the 11th child of Julian Garza Bazan and Ysabel Bazan Barrera in the village of La Grulla, Texas. As she often told us, she was a country girl all her life. She met and married the love of her life Ignacio Garcia, Jr. in 1952 and they built a wonderful life together until his passing in 1973. Their family continued to grow over the years and includes 6 children, 9 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren. Those left behind mourn her passing but also celebrate a life well lived and the fact that she is now in the presence of her Lord Jesus Christ.

Her daughters and their families are: Dora Elia Saavedra and husband David, their children Marcos Saavedra, Marisa (Jason) Flores, and son Jakey; Dalia Ester Bottomly, former husband Tom, their son, Heath (Jill) Bottomly and their children Braeden, Carter, Rylan and Sara Elisabeth Bottomly; Diana Elisa Garcia, Donna Elva Garcia Davidson and husband Greg, their daughter, Mary Grace, Delia Elsa Pena and husband Tom, their children Amanda, Kassandra, and Matthew; and her son and his family are Daniel Eduardo Garcia and his wife Terri, their son, Caleb.

Josefina was known by many names: Josefina, Fina, Josie, Mom, Grandma, Gammy, Great -Grandma. She never met a person she didn’t want to know better. She would strike up conversations and people opened up to her easily. She began her career as a nurse’s aide at a tuberculosis hospital before her marriage. Once children came, she worked as a teacher’s assistant at the elementary school her children attended. The loss of her husband was the most difficult loss of her life, but with God’s help and guidance, Josefina made it a turning point in her life as well. She started college at Pan American University and learned to drive again. She earned a degree and became a certified bilingual education teacher working in valley districts (Mission, La Joya, Hidalgo) and then coming to Austin to teach at Wooten until her retirement at age 67.

Josefina did not retire from life when she retired from teaching, however. She enjoyed a cruise to Alaska and a trip to Yellowstone as well as many happy times visiting with her children and their children and families. She made friends wherever she went and we can only hope to share that quality. Though she often had strong opinions about issues, she loved people unconditionally. We rejoice to have known her and loved her for so many years and as she told all of us, “This is not goodbye. This is until we meet again.”

A Funeral Service will be held at 2:30 p.m., Monday, September 28, 2015 at Cook-Walden Capital Parks Memorial Chapel. Interment will follow in Cook-Walden Capital Parks Cemetery.