Grandma,

We said goodbye to for the last time yesterday. It was one of the most difficult days I have ever experienced in my life. Even today, your death seems surreal to me, and its something I never imagined seeing. But, despite it being such a somber occasion, I still found happiness. We had such beautiful weather, at a time it should be hot! I know you had a part in that. When I felt how beautiful it was, I felt like it was your way of telling us that your ok now and that everythings going to be alright. I also shared some laughs with Lj, and Jesse and Corina, something I havent done in a long time. My Padrino sang Ave Maria, I know you had asked him yrs ago to sing it for you at your funeral, and he did a wonderful job. I know you were up there listening to him, smiling. They asked me to give a eulogy minutes before the mass. I was so emotional, unprepared and nervous...but most of all, honored. Honored that I got to address you and speak about your life at your funeral. Not many people can say they were asked to speak at their grandparents funeral service, and to be able say I got to will always be something I'm proud of. I said yesterday that there is now a major void in my life, and that is true. i will now longer have anymore Sunday visits with you. No more Mothers Day lunches, or birthday calls (Josh..this is Grandma..Happy Birthday!)Christmas and Thanksgiving wont be the same with out you.But, I have the rest of my family to help me fill it. I have Lucy and Andres and my Mom and Adolf. All I ask, grandma is that you watch over us, and check in on us every now and then. I'm going to miss you so much grandma, I will never forget you, and I will make sure my children know about you and how much you loved me, and them. I promise to visit you as often as I can, but like I said, please watch over us.I love you.Rest in Peace

Mrs. Garay was my friend since I was eleven years old. I never forgot her phone number. You see, I was friends with her daughter, Alice Perales, since Burbank Middle School. Alice and I remained friends after high school, through college and through our careers, as our children grew and began careers of their own. I know Mrs. Garay's heart through Alice, and I know that she always showed up for her family and her friends. What I also remember about Mrs. "Fannie" Garay is that she was a strict taskmaster and very cautious, but loving, toward her daughter Alice. When we were young, she knew me well, and while not everyone was allowed to visit or take her daughter our of the city, she trusted me and my boyfriend, (who would become my husband -- Rene Jerome Espree) to take Alice Perales, whom she treasured and was most proud of, out and about to places beyond the city limits. When I started driving, Alice and I rode to school together with our small circle of friends. But what I also remember about Mrs. Garay were the Christmases at her house with tameles, the times when our lives intersected, and how she was always most gracious and kind, how she embraced us with love and shared her life. Again, I know her mostly through Alice -- who has always shown up for her friends and her family like her mother did. So again, I know her because of her daughter, but also because I would call her and talk to her and ask about Alice. She always told me: "Mildred, I will let her know you called." I never forgot her phone number because I knew how much Alice loved her Mother, and that she would always show up for her and later Adolphj and Mary, and then most especially, Joshua, her son. I have learned that doesn't matter how many of the facts of a person's life you can recite, how many details you know of the personal exigencies of life, but that what really matters is how you treat people. That says more about you than anything else. I have always been moved by Mrs. Garay's deep faith, and the deep faithfulness of her children. I will miss her because I had that number to hold on to for more than 45 years of my life. I called her perhaps more than her children know, more than Alice knows. She was a friend to her children's friends, and someone I looked up to and respected, just as I respect  and trust the friendship and graciousness of her children. May God Bless All of You. She is counting on you to continue all the good things about her -- most especially her great faith in God. /mildred espree

Alice, I am saddened about the loss of your Mother.  You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Adolf and family, 

I am sorry for your loss. May God be with you and your family during this trying time. Remember, God never puts more on our shoulders than we can handle as shown in 1 Corinthians 10:13;

"There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it."


No matter what, You will always feel your mother's neverending love.

Mom, I will deeply miss you but I know you're in a much better place...Free from pain and suffering...Always look after us and help remind us that family is the most important thing we have in this life...Thank you for all the life lessons you taught me and all the love and support you gave me...I will always love you with all my heart...Love Your son Adolf...:)

To Alice, Josh, and the rest of the family,
I pray that you grow stronger and stronger as the days go by.  I am so glad that I had the opportunity to know such a sweet lady who was also such a great cook.  I know how much she loved her church and her children.  Please find comfort in knowing that she is in a better place!
May the peace of God be with you.

Tia, your love for Christ is amazing.  Thank you for your words of encouragement. You'll be missed.

I'll miss you, Grandma. You were the best grandmother anybody could ever have. You took care of me, and I love you for that. Please watch over us.

OBITUARY

Epifania "Fannie" Garay

April 7, 1934 – April 29, 2011

Brookside Funeral Home & Memorial Park

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services