Edita Cabasan Garcia

“Nanay”

It is with deep sorrow and love that we announce the passing of Edita Cabasan Garcia, affectionately known to all as Nanay. She passed away peacefully on May 11, 2025, at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula in Monterey, California. She was 69 years old.

Born on July 25, 1955, in the Philippines, Nanay grew up in poverty and began working at a young age — not just to help her mother, but to support herself and become independent. Even in hardship, she developed a spirit of quiet strength, resilience, and devotion to family — values that defined her for the rest of her life.

She was widowed at the age of 41, after the passing of her beloved husband, Eduardo R. Garcia. Despite this deep loss, she raised her children with unwavering love, faith, and sacrifice, building a life centered on care and responsibility.

A loving homemaker, Nanay found joy in simple, meaningful acts — especially cooking, gardening, and going thrift shopping. Whether she was preparing a warm meal, tending to her garden, or finding small treasures in secondhand stores, she brought warmth and intention to everything she did. Her kitchen was the heart of her home. She always had a meal prepared — especially for her son Edgardo C. Garcia, her daughter Sarah C. Garcia and her fiancé TJ Kress, her granddaughter Isla Jane-Garcia Kress, and any guest who stepped through her door. No one ever left hungry, and her food will remain a treasured memory to all who tasted it.

She loved to garden, nurturing flowers and vegetables with the same care she gave her family. And her love for thrift shopping wasn’t just about finding bargains — it was about discovering joy in the little things and thinking of others, often picking out thoughtful items for loved ones.

Nanay had a special love for children. She lovingly helped raise many — not only her granddaughter Isla Jane Kress, but also the children of her nieces in the Philippines. Her presence was comforting, steady, and full of quiet warmth — the kind that makes a lasting mark on a child’s heart.

In her final years, Nanay lived in Monterey with Sarah, TJ, and Isla, where she was surrounded by love every day. In that home, she offered wisdom, comfort, and her constant, nurturing presence.

She also achieved a lifelong dream: becoming a United States citizen, a milestone that reflected her perseverance, gratitude, and hope for the future.

Nanay is survived by her children, Edgardo and Sarah; her granddaughter Isla; her siblings Dominador Cabasan Sr. and Josefina C. Estrella, along with their families; and many loving relatives and friends in both the United States and the Philippines.

A viewing and service will be held at The Paul Mortuary in Pacific Grove, California. Nanay will then be brought home to the Philippines and laid to rest at Eternal Bliss Memorial Park in Castillejos, Zambales, reunited with her husband and surrounded by love and remembrance.

To her family and her community, she was more than a mother — she was a source of comfort, strength, and enduring love. Her life was a quiet but powerful testament to grace, sacrifice, and devotion. She will be deeply missed and forever honored.

We miss you so much, Nanay. Salamat po sa pagmamahal at pag-alaga sa amin.

The family extends their heartfelt thanks to everyone for their support, prayers, and kindness during this time. Your love has been a great comfort as we remember and celebrate Nanay’s life.

A funeral service for Edita will be held Monday, June 9, 2025 at 1:00 PM at The Paul Mortuary, 390 Lighthouse Ave, Pacific Grove, CA 93950.