Constance Ann Garcia

On July 6, 1959, Milton Dale and Charlotte Thompson welcomed their youngest child into the world. Her name would be Constance (Connie) Ann. She had a sweet face and blue eyes. Connie grew up in the Denver area with her two sisters (Cindy and Catherine) and brother (Mark). She loved her family and shared memories of family trips, spending time with cousins, and enjoying time with her grandparents at their little home in the mountains.

During her teen years, Connie lost her father. She and her mother left their familiar family home for a smaller setting as Connie entered her high school years. She was growing into a caring, yet feisty, young lady. She developed a fondness for Patsy Cline, Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, and disco music and would sing along to her favorite songs in the car.

One fateful day, at 17, Connie took a friend home because she'd sat in gum and needed new pants. Her friend's older brother, Terry, was visiting on leave from the Air Force. Connie was smitten. On August 4, 1977, Connie married Terry Garcia and the two embarked on the military adventure together. A year later at Hill AFB, Utah, the Garcias welcomed their first child, Genevieve. They returned briefly to civilian life in the Denver area before Terry's re-enlistment and then were off to Alamogordo, New Mexico. Here, in 1980, they welcomed their second child, Terry Jr. Soon after, the little family made their next move to Memmingen, Germany.

Connie loved experiencing a new country alongside her family. She got to know her neighbors, visited Switzerland, and made sure her children took part in a variety of local activities. When it was time to leave again, Connie was left with fond memories and unique experiences. The Garcia family arrived at F.E. Warren AFB in 1983 and her children were readying for the elementary school years. Upon returning from work each day, she would talk to her children about school and friends and all of the other things young children ramble on about. During this time, Connie lost her mother. She often shared memories of her "Momma" and the various mementos that reminded her of her parents.

In 1988, Connie guided her children through a various airports and an 18-hour plane ride to arrive at Yokota AFB in Japan. Connie began working on the base and made friends quickly. She attended bazaars on the weekends, purchasing lovely hand painted dolls, fans, and other beautiful reminders of her time in this foreign country. She provided her children with opportunities to spend time off the base and experience the culture. She traveled to Korea and Okinawa with friends. She loved shopping, seeing the local attractions, and food in Asia.

In 1992, Connie and her family arrived back in the United States. This was to be their last assignment for the Air Force at Minot AFB, North Dakota. The bitterly cold winters were a drastic change from the tropical climate of Japan but Connie adapted well to life in the North. She played late night bingo and admired the Northern Lights on her way home. She guided her children as they began their own high school journeys.

Three years later, Terry retired from the Air Force and Connie found herself back where she began in the Denver area. While her family had largely moved out of state, Terry's family remained in the area. The Garcia family spent time with these relatives and Connie frequently reconnected with old friends from school or her younger years in the area. These relationships were important in her life and she made the effort to maintain them. Soon after returning to Denver, Connie began work at Denver Regional Council of Governments. Here, she began to form new friendships that would last the rest of her life. She shared in triumphs and tragedies of her friends' lives and was always available for support and guidance.

In 2001, Connie became a grandmother and this new stage of life was exhilarating for her. She fell in love over and over again with each grandchild's birth. She glowed with pride when talking about them, displaying pictures and sharing their accomplishments. She lived for each birthday and exciting new steps in their lives.

In 2019, Connie began considering retirement. She wanted to spend more time with her family and grandchildren, discover new hobbies, and embark on new adventures. Fate had something else in store, however. In October, Connie was diagnosed with incurable cancer. With an uncertain timeline ahead, she began to fight for as much time as possible with chemotherapy. While she was always by the side of those she loved as they fought similar battles, she chose to keep her own private. She didn't want anyone making a fuss over her and didn't want the most memorable times to be those of pain and illness.

On April 30, 2020, Connie's fight came to an end. Genevieve and Terry were by her side in the hospital as she heard the outpouring of love via phone and message from family and friends. Her last moments were peaceful and her final words encompass all she was as a person: "I love you".

We are grateful for the life Connie had and the time she spent with us and she will be remembered with as much love as she provided while here on Earth.