Gloria Bertha Garcia, 91, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 11, 2025, following a brief battle due to a cardiac arrest. Born in Rio Grande City, Texas, she moved to El Paso, Texas as a young woman. She attended the University of Texas at Austin and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education. She began her career working as an elementary and middle school teacher, and upon fulfilling her calling as an educator, began working at the Texas Workforce Commission until her retirement in 2002. Gloria was active in the community throughout her life, having ran for Councilwoman when she was younger and having been a dedicated volunteer at various Catholic Churches and St. Joseph’s School.
Gloria is preceded in death by her husband George Edward Garcia, daughter Georgette Garcia-Kaufmann, parents Octavio Castañeda and Rosalia Salmon, as well as by five siblings Octavio Castañeda Jr., Frances Castañeda, Ernesto Castañeda, Lamar Castañeda, and Hector Castañeda. She is survived by her grandson Connor George Kaufmann, son-in-law Daniel Kaufmann, sister Olga Provencio, and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Monday, August 18, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. with a rosary at 7:00 p.m. at Funeraria del Angel Central, 3839 Montana Ave, El Paso, TX 79903. Funeral mass will be held Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Patrick Cathedral, 1118 N Mesa St, El Paso, TX 79902. She will be interred at Fort Bliss National Cemetery with her husband George, following the mass.
