Frances Elsie Garcia

Frances Elsie Garcia (Martinez) passed away peacefully at St. Francis Hospital on August 18 at the age of 89. She is preceded in death by her parents Flora and José Martinez, her nine siblings, and Gilbert Garcia, her husband of 50 years. She is survived by her four children, six grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.

Born in Salida, Colorado, Frances lived a full life with family always by her side, whether they were physically close or far away. Over the course of her life Frances and her immediate family lived in four states, as well as abroad in Germany as a result of Gilbert’s military deployment, before moving to Colorado Springs in 1971. She lived there, in homes filled with trinkets and memories, until her death.

Frances dedicated her life’s work to caring for her children and grandchildren, and she for a time also provided childcare in Colorado Springs. Frances loved taking care of her pets, which over the years included more than half a dozen dogs, a handful of birds, and an aquarium full of fish. Her family knew her as someone who never forgot to send birthday and holiday cards, which she always signed with love. Later in life Frances discovered joy in made-for-TV movies and baseball, especially her Rockies.

Frances’s funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church in Security. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to Care and Share Foodbank for Southern Colorado.