Olivia Emma Garcia Salas

Olivia Emma Garcia Salas was born in San Antonio, TX, on February 1, 1929, to Rafael Ramirez Garcia and Bertha Valadez García. She was the oldest of four, followed by her twin siblings, Ralph Garcia and Bertha Madrid, then her younger sister, Carmen Jones.

She graduated from The Ursuline Academy of San Antonio in 1947. In her high school yearbook, we found these quotes along with the discovery that she was on the debate team, the Spanish club, and the Red Cross club.

Olivia Garcia - "The most lovely" and "The rare and radiant maiden whom the angels named."

Olivia's passion was art. She was mostly a self-taught artist from a very young age, producing gallery-quality works starting at age 12. She never desired to sell her work; instead, she created them to pass down to her children and grandchildren. She continued creating works of art even after she turned 90; although not as detailed, they are treasured just as much.

Olivia and Reynaldo Thomas Salas came to Austin, where he studied architecture at the University of Texas. Her best friends over the years were naturally in the Northwood Rd neighborhood. Dr. Prescott and Jane Williams of the Austin Presbyterian Seminary, and Mrs. Suzy Lindeman Snyder. They remained friends long after their children were grown, until their passing in their 90s. Furthermore, her dear friend Gloria Laosa.

Besides raising her family, she immersed herself in Austin's international culture. Olivia joined Suzy Lindeman as a founding member of the UT International Hospitality Council, which is still strong over 60 years later as Global Texas. She loved the friends she made all over the world and stayed closest to families that were here from Cuba, Venezuela, and Mexico.

Her accomplishments during her working years were at UT Austin, Texas Health and Human Services, and finally retiring from the Texas Office of the Attorney General. During those later years, technology was just beginning. The computer was making its way into the everyday tasks she was leaving behind.

Being a single mother, she raised four children and saw her grandkids grow up to be fine adults. In addition, she took great joy in seeing and being with her great-grandchildren.

A constant in her life and one she looked forward to each year was the annual Ramirez Garcia family reunions. It was a time to catch up with the many people she grew up with.

Later in her life, she was at the Conservatory North independent living facility for several years, where she made many new friends. Her sister Carmen arrived and joined her there two years ago. The highlight of her day was going to the daily happy hours, drinking Cokes, only of course, and sharing the gossip of the day. She was quick-witted and made everyone laugh. In addition, she loved all those ladies and everyone, including the staff who loved her back.

Olivia loved watching her favorite shows and movies, especially Murder She Wrote, Perry Mason, and Diagnosis Murder. She was an avid reader of history and murder mysteries and followed current events closely.

Her last residence was at the Sage Valley Senior Living, where she spent her final days surrounded by loving family and the caring staff in her apartment filled with her paintings.

Olivia passed peacefully in her sleep and was preceded in death by her parents, Rafael and Bertha Garcia, her brother and sister, Ralph Garcia and Bertha Madrid, and her eldest son, Ricky. She is survived by her children, Kathy Fowler, Yvette Niemeyer (Steve), and Ronald Salas (Gloria), and by her grandchildren, Deana Garcia (John), Rebecca Lemon (Brad), Donnie Fowler III (Shelley), David Fowler (Brandy), Krendon Reynolds, and Olivia Reynolds. In addition, great-grandchildren Nicholas Salas, Lane McGehee, Cameron Fowler, Mason Fowler, Sterling Reed, Garrett Reed, Catherine Fowler, and Lincoln Fowler are also acknowledged.

Visitation will be held Thursday, April 9th, 5:00-7:00 pm at the Cook-Walden Capital Parks Funeral Home, North IH 35, Pflugerville, TX 78660. A mass will be held on Friday, April 10, at 10:30 at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, 1101W New Hope Dr., Cedar Park, TX 78613, followed by burial at nearby Bagdad Cemetery, 400 N Bagdad Rd. Leander, TX 78641.