Paula (Chita as known to most) was born to Juan & Julia Sanchez on January 19, 1926 in Brownsville, Texas. She made it into the New Year, but passed away on January 2nd, 2025, just short of her 99th birthday.
She was one of 9 siblings with only 2 surviving sisters, Lydia Silguero and Gloria Infante. The other six siblings, Santos, Manuel, Anita Garcia, Gilberto, Jesus, and Josefina Alvarez have preceded her in death.
She graduated from Brownsville High School in 1944. Then in 1949, she married, Antonio Garcia. They were married for 71 years until his passing in 2020. Together they raised 4 children, Rosalinda (Rosie) Aguilar, Diana Villarreal (Jim), Cecilia Garcia & Antonio Garcia, Jr. We were raised in a loving family with the "fear of God," respecting & revering God; remembering neighborhood outdoor prayer meetings. Some of us took a little longer to accept their parenting (you know those rebellious years 2 on up) but we knew we were loved even when we were not so loveable at times.
Mom was ahead of her time growing up blazing her own trail unbeknownst to us. She was an independent woman with an incredible work ethic. She held a full time job until her mid 70s, drove a car until she was in her 80s, and exemplified her belief in civic duty by serving as an election judge in several general elections. She had several hobbies but her favorite was collecting stamps; it was a life-time passion which started at the age of 14.
Once she retired, she and dad spent time maintaining their 2-1/2 acre property filled with oak and crepe myrtle trees. Dad even fixed up one of his carts so she could carry all her gardening tools around the property. That didn't help, though, when she would forget to charge the batteries and dad had to go to her rescue in the furthest part of the field. Unfortunately, that forgetfulness didn't just apply to the golf cart batteries, as she often called home to say that she was out of gas. Dad would ask "where are you". She would reply, "at the corner of Walk & Don't Walk". She held long-life friendships with the school friends, she enjoyed visiting them, meeting them for coffee or providing "uber" services to doctor visits.
She and Dad would travel for Dad's Senior PGA golf tournaments. Dad would say, "So Poli," as he affectionately called her, "what are you going to do while I'm playing golf." Her response, "Don't worry I'll find something to do, I've got money!!"
Mom and Dad's home always had laughter, gatherings, and support to extended family or friend. They were the hub for our extended family; both Mom and Dad had 9 siblings each. Summer vacations were spent visiting Dad's family in Houston whereas mom's family was located in Brownsville. Our home was also shelter for hurricane seasons. We grew up surrounded with family from both maternal & paternal. That special bond has been shared and passed on to the grandchildren, Julie, Jessica, Nicholas, Andres, Vanessa & Lily. The 11 great-grandchildren have a ways to go but have been included as often as possible.
We will miss Mom's wit, laughter, stories of how she grew up, and travel mishaps with Dad, but we will carry our memories of her within our hearts forever.
We love you mom.
A visitation for Paula will be held Wednesday, January 8, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM with a brief service at 7:00 PM at Funeraria Del Angel Rose Lawn, 4464 Old Port Isabel Road, Brownsville, TX. A continued visitation will occur Thursday, January 9, 2025 from 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM at Funeraria Del Angel Rose Lawn followed by a burial at 10:00 AM at Rose Lawn Memorial Gardens, 4464 Old Port Isabel Road, Brownsville, TX.
Following the graveside service a small reception will be held at Central Christian Church, 1100 East Alton Gloor.
