Hilva Garcia Leggett, RN, Advocate for Nurses, passed away peacefully after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease on Thursday, September 26, 2019. Hilva loved the Lord and was always happy and full of life. She offered a smile and warm embrace to everyone she met. She was born in Taft, Texas, and became the first Hispanic Cheerleader in the history of Taft High School. As a graduate of the nursing program at Delmar College in Corpus Christi, Texas, Hilva served as a Registered Nurse in a variety of specialties including dialysis, operating room, oral surgery, labor & delivery, nurse recruitment, and admitting. Later in her career she was named Executive Director, and then Associate Publisher of NurseWeek Magazine. She was active in many professional groups and served terms as President of the Houston Organization of Nurse Executives, President of the Texas Association of Nurse Recruiters, and served on the board of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses. In 2008 she was awarded the Diane F. Cooper Lifetime Achievement Award for Nursing Advocacy. Hilva is survived by her husband John, her sisters Hilda, Hilma, Hilsa, Hilna, Hilfa, and Giselda, and her brother Gaspar Garcia, along with all of their families including numerous nieces and nephews.
Hilva’s longtime friend wrote:
“With the warmest hugs, the loudest laugh, and million dollar smile that lit up a room, my dear friend Hilva was one of a kind. Her giving heart and caring personality meant that she never met a stranger. She willingly gave her all when someone was in need, and blessed us with endless enthusiasm and overflowing faith. She loved deeply and without prejudice, knowing she had an important role in our lives as a sister, a mentor, a matriarch, and friend. She spread her love among us as freely as she branded our cheeks with her trademark red lipstick. Her beautiful spirit touched so many. Dear Honey, we will always hold you in our hearts.”
