Maria Guadalupe Garcia

Many things can be said about Maria G. Garcia. Known to friends and acquaintances as a friendly, energetic, empathic and decisive woman, her compassionate nature would always shine through, revealing her charm, warmth and conscientious demeanor. She was warmhearted, gentle and organized in all the things she sought to accomplish. Maria was a mentor, a natural “teacher” capable of seeing things clearly, leading others and bringing out the Best in All of those Around Her. She generally had a focus on harmony and peace.

Maria was born on April 3, 1962 at Hospital De la Mujer in Mexico City. Her mother Amalia Saldana. Maria was raised in Colonia Anahuac. When she was young, Maria's friends and family found that “straightforward” and “honest” were perfect words to describe her. Even as a child, Maria demonstrated strong qualities of self-confidence, perceptive ability and a disposition that was enjoyable to those around her.

Maria grew up with 4 siblings. She had two younger brothers Roman and Oscar and two sisters Lorena and Patricia. Maria was constantly involved in all sorts of activities with her family. Taking care of her family and resolving conflicts. This quality served her well, in perpetually bringing harmony, understanding and a sense of peace to the family. Maria carried these traits into her adult life and served as one of many reasons why family and friends found her pleasurable and delightful to be around. Maria was a person who genuinely understood and cared for others, making powerful connections with those she knew.

As a young girl, Maria was imaginative, ingenious, entrepreneur, clever and a “novel” thinker. Regardless of whether her peers were older or younger, or came from different backgrounds, Maria could easily relate to other kids. She was an active child who loved to play Volleyball. She worked at a very young age helping her mother sell food. She worked most of her childhood and took care of her siblings. She grew up very fast becoming a mother to her siblings at times of need and always playful and cheerful.

During her high school years, Maria had a natural flair for cheering on and applauding just about everyone. She was constantly offering her support and encouragement to fellow members of the groups and activities in which she participated. She graduated from Puente Learning Center, Central Adult High School, Metropolitan Skills Center, Abram Friedman in since1995. She did well in school and genuinely enjoyed telling stories in a way that drew people to her. In this way, Maria had a talent for becoming the center of attention, a kind of social catalyst. Maria was often found to be the lead person facilitating a group activity, frequently filling the role of being “the life of the party.” Teachers and classmates knew Maria as an excellent listener. She placed a high value on learning and always understood that there was a new lesson to be grasped waiting for her just around the corner. She never stopped gaining knowledge, her brain was like a sponge she would attend multiple classes.

Always considered a “good” friend, Maria sought to understand the things that others enjoyed. For this reason Maria always seemed to possess a never-ending collection of acquaintances. Maria’s friends found her easy to know and get along with because of her talent for being socially at ease, adept at conversation, and always amiable in her dealings with others. Maria would always seek to learn what her friends enjoyed, and she would go out of her way to make sure that their needs were met. Maria was always seen as the type of person who was the more gracious giver. In fact, she sometimes felt ill at ease when she was the one on the receiving end. Throughout her life she had many friends. She didn't have time to play with other than her siblings. Her siblings were her best friends.

Compassionate and devoted, Maria worked hard to make her new family happy. By trusting her emotions, Maria did her best to make sure that both the marriage and home life ran smoothly. This is just one more example of how Maria was truly a person of empathy.

Maria’s quality of being a caring and tolerant person who was very accepting of others translated to being a good mother to her children. Maria shared these values with her three children, One son Mariano and two Daughters Yad and Amy. Maria was also blessed with six grandchildren, Oscar, Jacob, Grecia, Emily, Abril and Lucca. Maria related well to children of all ages and was able to connect to them on their level. The children always loved her and she was completely and totally devoted to them.

Maria experienced success in her work life over and over again. Her primary occupation was Sous Chef. She was employed for 16 years by Kroger, also know as Ralphs. Maria always made the effort to understand what was needed at work, and was well known by her colleagues as a team player. Maria took pride in managing her professional responsibilities and seemed to always know what was necessary to successfully complete a project. Maria was one to take the initiative and her skills at working cooperatively were highly valued. Maria continually sought to learn what her co-workers did well and how they were most effective, a talent that enabled her to help them develop their own potential.

Because she was organized and methodical, Maria took great pleasure in her various hobbies. Her favorite pursuits were bettering herself in education, she loved to take care of herself with activities such as Aqua Therapy, Zumba, belly dancing, Gym member since 1992, and she loved to dance. Maria enjoyed sharing her passions with others and could singularly focus on one hobby at a time.

Throughout her life, Maria was actively involved in professional and community organizations. With a talent for focusing in on exactly what was required to be completed, Maria was known to her peers as being able to strengthen any group endeavor. When called on, Maria was a natural leader who created harmony and good relationships within the group, often putting her own needs aside. Maria’s involvement could easily help structure and organize any part of an organization. An added benefit was Maria’s ability to bring valued principles along with her. Throughout her later years, Maria was an active philanthropist.

Maria was well known to others for her ability to naturally and conscientiously move into action to help others, a quality that placed her as an active contributor to many community activities. Charismatic by nature, she was always viewed by others as someone who built bridges, connected to people, and upheld her personal values. Donated to many charities just to name a few St. Jude, Susan Komen: Breast Cancer Research, Veterans Fund, Humane Society, SPCALA, Shrines, Nature Conservator, Boys Town, Native American and Best Buddies.

Maria’s faith was important to her. She was a member of a Pentecostal Church of Christian denomination and faithful follower of Jesus Christ. During that time, she introduced her children to the love of GOD leading by example. She was compassionate and warm hearted, someone who truly cared for others and that was clearly demonstrated in her work with the congregation.

Though she never did anything solely for individual recognition, Maria was given accolades for her many and varied efforts throughout her life. If the truth were known, Maria was always a little uncomfortable with being singled out for recognition. Some of her most prestigious awards included top seller in Mary Kay and also many Employee of the month awards.

Maria enjoyed traveling, and because she was so well organized, she would take on the responsibility of planning and scheduling all of the family vacations. Her gift for keeping things lively meant that vacations with Maria were always enjoyable. Favorite vacations included Mexico City, Jalisco and anywhere her family was located.

Maria passed away on September 15, 2021 at the hospital. Maria's cause of death was a heart attack. She is survived by her children, grandchildren, mother, brothers and sisters. Services were held at Funerary del Angel South Gate. Maria was laid to rest in Evergreen Cemetery in Los Angeles California.

Throughout her life, Maria was a gregarious and enthusiastic woman. She was generous in sharing her personal attributes, giving and helping those she knew and loved. She would often fill the role of coach, bringing out the best in everyone. She was imaginative, original, tender hearted and easy to get along with. Maria leaves behind her legacy of life-long learner, friendships and cherished memories. Everyone whose lives she touched will dearly remember Maria Guadalupe Garcia.