Cecilia Garcia

Cecilia Robles Garcia passed away on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 at the age of 80. She was a proud descendent of Antonio Menchaca, a native Tejano patriot of the First Republic, revenge of Arredondo, the Texian rebellion, and Battle of San Jacinto. She was born on November 28, 1929 in Leon Spring, Texas on the Menchaca Ranch to Rodimiro Robles and Candelaria Galindo. Her father was a farmer and stonemason and her mother a housewife. Cecilia learned the duties of farming without a horse and hoe, following her brother Milo and cousin Roger Robles with a shovel covering the seeds. She left the ranch in 1946 after her father’s death and was raised by her Tia Mencha and four brothers in San Antonio. She came from a family of strong religious faith. She dedicated most of her spare time at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower, where she helped the sisters with administrative duties and singing in the choir for all occasions. She attended Ogden Elementary, Little Flower High School and Durham Business College. At the age of 22 she began working at Division Tailors & Cleaners. She worked up from garment checker to bookkeeper in 1952. She married founder Peter G. Garcia in 1952. She became a Board Member in 1958 and Vice President in 1958 thru 1986. She ran Garcia Jewelry Mfg. Co. from 1973-1991; she manufactured class rings, recognition jewelry and fine jewelry. She became President of Division Laundry & Cleaners Inc. from 1992 to 2009. During tenure as President she made significant improvements in its operations and its financial position, and made the decision to rebuild Division after a fire destroyed the plant in 2001. She had been with Division Laundry & Cleaners Inc. for sixty-two years. She was a talented cook and enjoyed hosting family gathering and entertaining dignitaries for the San Antonio Greater Chamber of Commerce in her home along side her husband. She was a protective and loving mother to her two children. Days prior to her farewell she was proud to have welcomed her grandchildren in carrying on in the family traditions as what she called the “next generation.” She is predeceased by her husband, Peter G. Garcia, parents, brothers, Rodimiro (Milo), Roger, Rudy, and Alfonso, and sister, Chavella. She is survived by her daughter, Loretta R. Garcia, son, Patrick R. Garcia and daughter-in-law Mary Helen, her grandchildren, Patricia Ann, Patrick Anthony, and Theresa Ellen. She was blessed with many nieces, nephews, cousin, and life long friends. Cecilia will be greatly missed. Her family would like to thank Dr. Michelle Scanlan and the staff of “Angels on Earth” at Vitas Hospice for the extraordinary care. Visitation will be held on Friday, October 15, 2010 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Funeraria Del Angel Roy Akers, 515 N. Main Avenue, San Antonio, Texas 78205 with a Rosary being recited at 7:00 p.m. that same evening. We will depart the funeral home at 9:30 a.m. for a 10:00 a.m. Funeral Mass on Saturday, October 16, 2010 at St. Luke Catholic Church, 4603 Manitou Dr. San Antonio, Texas 78228. Interment to follow at San Fernando Cemetery II. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Little Flower Catholic School, 905 Kentucky Ave., San Antonio, Texas 78201 on her behalf.