Ninfa H. Garcia

Ninfa was born on April 26, 1935 in Realitos, TX and spent her childhood years in the small farming community of Rios, TX. Those were formidable years for her as she played a key role helping her parents with farming and domestic responsibilities. She started her adult life at the young age of 17 when she married Armando Garcia. Together they moved to the King Ranch where she worked as a private house-keeper and caregiver for Dr. and Mrs. J.K. Northway, chief veterinarian until their death in 1973.

Ninfa, her husband and their two daughters moved to Kingsville, TX where she was certified as a nurses aide and worked at the city hospital and nursing home for several years. During this time she was diagnosed with lupus which she battled fiercely for her entire life. However, she was determined to face this adversity head on and persevered to follow her calling as a private caregiver.

Ninfa quickly gained a reputation as an angel of mercy for the elderly needing hospice care. She managed a private care in her own home caring for as many as four patients at one time. She treated every patient with love and utmost compassion until their time to transition into the next life. Ninfa was well respected by doctors, nurses, first responders, spiritual leaders and the community.

Ninfa retired from private health care in 1995. She and Armando moved to the Rio Grande Valley and settled in Harlingen to be near their grandchildren. She then continued her caregiving role taking care of her ill husband until his passing in 2015.

She was such an incredible role model for the young and the old. Her faith in God and the Blessed Mother gave her strength in everything she did. She always met each day with a positive attitude. Giving up on anything was simply not acceptable. Regardless of how much pain she faced with her lupus flare-ups, she truly believed that laughter was the best medicine. She enjoyed sitting at the kitchen table telling jokes with friends over coffee. She loved an occasional trip to casinos and game rooms. She was the “Keno Queen”. Her reputation as a cook was uncontested. Her tamales, menudo, pan de polvo and empanadas were second to none. Her morning phone calls with her sisters will be dearly missed. She lived a life of gratitude and fulfillment.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Rufino and Eva Hinojosa, her husband, Armando Garcia, her brothers, Emede Hinojosa (Joan) and Rufino Hinojosa Jr. (Berta).

She is survived by her two daughters Mary Garcia and Gilda Diaz (the late Samuel Diaz), her grand-children James Matthew Belk and Christina (George) David, three great-grandchildren Kaylee, Jordan and Christopher David. She is also survived by siblings Albesa Lozano (the late Roberto), Olga Vela (the late Albino), Elsa Hinojosa (Ernesto), and Luis Hinojosa (Linda).

To all family members and dear friends who reached out to support our family during this difficult time, a heartfelt thank you. Mil Gracias.

A combined Rosary/Memorial Service followed by an inurnment will be held on Wednesday August 19, 2020 at 10:00am at Heavenly Grace Memorial Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Ninfa Garcia to the Lupus Research Alliance, https://give.lupusresearch.org/give/123231/#!/donation/checkout.

Please list recipient as Mary Garcia, [email protected] so we may express our gratitude.