Josefina Noemi Garcia Lázaro

Josefina Noemi Garcia Lázaro, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, passed away on August 28, 2006 at the age of 71. Josefina was born November 13, 1934 to Ramon Garcia and Beatriz Soto. A lifelong resident of San Antonio, Josefina's early life was filled with church activities at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish. She was a graduate of Sidney Lanier High School 1953 and Our Lady of the Lake University where she received degrees in Elementary Education and Guidance and Counseling. Josefina loved children and loved teaching. She touched the lives of countless children and young adults. An employee of the San Antonio Independent School District for 42 years, her principle assignments were as Guidance Counselor at Luther Burbank HS and Special Education Counselor at Sidney Lanier HS. Josefina's students have gone on to become leaders in various fields as teachers, college professors, officers in the military, in business, in medicine, in law enforcement and in journalism. In her spare time, Josefina was a volunteer Girl Scout leader and Den Mother, catechism instructor at St. Leo's Church and officer in many parent organizations including the Harlandale ISD String Program and the St. Philip of Jesus PTC. Since retiring as a full-time counselor in 1995, Josefina continued to work part-time as an elementary special education counselor for SAISD. She was instrumental in planning the 50th reunion for her high school class of 1953.

Josefina balanced work and family throughout her life. She married Vicente Arnulfo Lázaro in August 1960, and together they raised 4 children. Their commitment to family and education is evident in the successful lives of their children. Catherine is a medical research scientist, Vincent is an attorney, Gina is a marketing executive and Edgar runs his own computer consulting company. Vicente passed away in February 1996. Josefina was his loving caregiver until the end. Josefina is survived by her four children, sons-in-law, Christian Roos and David Quinby, and grandchildren, Phillip Christian, Yvette Marie and Emily Jo. Mary Castro of Dallas, her half sister, also survives her. Her only brother, Victor Manuel Garcia preceded her in death in April 2003.

In her final hours, Josefina was surrounded by all four of her children, who will miss her dearly.