Tiodula “Dora” Garcia (88), of Glendale/Phoenix, peacefully passed away at home on April 4, 2024. Tiodula was born on March 2, 1936, in Phoenix, Arizona to Antonio Olguin and Catalina Higuera Olguin. She married Jesus “Toolie” Garcia in 1957 and had two children, Cynthia and Ralph Garcia.
She and her family moved out of the city to what was adoringly known as, “the rancho,” where they taught their children work ethic by caring for animals and urban gardening (before it was trendy). Dora tragically lost her husband of 21 years to a heart attack in 1978, but she continued with the strength and stoicism we all knew her by. Dora worked and retired from A.M.K Microfilming after several years and spent the first half of the retirement living in Glendale with her son Ralph and his family. After his devastating death, she spent the remainder of her years with her daughter Cynthia and her family in Phoenix.
Nothing was more important to Tiodula than her family. She enjoyed the time spent together and never hesitated to tell you if it had “been too long.” Dora suffered for years with RA and kept her fingers strengthened with various types of crafting. She was always making something for someone. She spent her last years crocheting (new baby blankets and beanies were her favorite) and watching Law & Order, novelas, Golden Girls, and game shows. Dora loved assembling puzzles, especially with her great-grandchildren and grandchildren. Her last days were spent surrounded by her family- praying and spending time together.
Dora’s legacy is carried on by her daughter Cynthia; her 8 grandchildren, Benny, Yvonne, Misty (Aaron), Rafael (Lashuna), Jessie (Desiree), Chrystal (Omar), Mathew (Gabriela), and Jessica; and her 11 great-grandchildren Alexiss, Aaron, Micah, Olivia, Sebastian, Samuel, Destiny, Theresa, Andres, Ralphie, and Judy; as well as her great-great-granddaughter, Aspyn. She leaves behind her younger brother David Olguin and younger sister, Alicia Garbaldi.
