Maria R. Garcia De Camacho

Maria del Refugio Garcia Chavez was born in the springtime on May 1, 1951 to Cristina Chavez and Angel Garcia in the beautiful city of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. She married the love of her life, Raúl Camacho on April 27, 1972. Soon after, they moved to the beautiful city, Santa Monica, California where they raised their family. Maria, Cuca, Refus, Doña Mari, and Grandma, as she was known to friends and family, passed away with her family by her side, on March 9, 2022 at the age of 70 in Los Angeles, California.

Maria was very smart and excelled in school, especially in mathematics; hence she studied accounting. Growing up, she played volleyball and enjoyed the outdoors. She loved cooking for her family, and liked watching action movies and novelas. Maria enjoyed trips with her comadres and playing cards and loteria with friends. She was a social butterfly and made many friendships throughout her life. Her grandson, Daniel, use to say as a child, “My grandma knows everybody!”

To know Maria was to love her. She was the life of the party and our dancing queen. We will miss her food, especially her albondigas. We will miss her daily phone calls inquiring what we had for dinner. We will miss her funny stories, her speedy talk, sense of humor, optimism, and love of life. But more than anything, her grandchildren will miss being able to say, “Hi grandma, how are you?”

She made her whole family laugh with her outrageous and exaggerated facial expressions, and all her silly sayings. She was kind, generous and compassionate. She loved her entire family and was their number one cheerleader. Our beloved Maria will be desperately missed by ALL those that she’s left behind. Our hearts are broken by this loss.

“You never said I’m leaving, you never said goodbye. You were gone before we knew it, and only God knew why. A million times we needed you, a million times we cried. If love alone could have saved you, you never would have died. In life we loved you dearly, in death we love you still. In our hearts you hold a place that no one could ever fill. It broke our hearts to lose you, but you didn’t go alone. For part of us went with you, the day God took you home.” Author Unknown.

Maria is predeceased by her parents Cristina Chavez and Angel Garcia, sister Amparo Garcia, and husband Raúl Camacho.

She is survived by her Children, Haydé, Raúl, and Pamela; her Grandchildren, Kristina, Daniel, Jasmine, Eliza, and Raúl; her Siblings Asunción, Cristina, Miguel Angel, and Sylvia; Son-in-law Chevo, Former Daughter-in-law Jenny, Daughter-in-law Amara, as well as her Niece Socorro Vazquez, the Castillo-Vazquez Family, the Arreola-Vazquez Family, many cousins, nieces and nephews, and an abundance of friends. We will ALL miss her more than words can express. Her smile and determination to see any obstacle through will be greatly missed.

“Either find a way, or make one.” - Cecilia Marie Austin.

We thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers, flowers, and contributions during this difficult time. We are truly grateful. Please continue to keep our beloved Maria in your memories.

A visitation for Maria will be held Thursday, March 24, 2022 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Gates, Kingsley & Gates Smith Salsbury Funeral Directors, 4220 South Sepulveda Blvd, Culver City, CA 90230. A rosary service will occur Thursday, March 24, 2022 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM, 4220 South Sepulveda Blvd, Culver City, CA 90230. A visitation will occur Friday, March 25, 2022 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at St. Anne's Catholic Church, 2011 Colorado Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90404. A funeral service will occur Friday, March 25, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at St. Annes Catholic Church, 2011 Colorado Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90404. A committal service will occur Friday, March 25, 2022 from 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM at Holy Cross Cemetery, 5835 W Slauson Avenue, Culver City, CA 90230.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.GatesKingsley.com for the Garcia De Camacho family.