Tributes

Maria Ofilia Garcia entered eternal rest on March 24, 2023, at the age of 85. She was born on May 7, 1937 in Salineno, Texas to Adan and Josefa (Salinas) Garcia. She is preceded in death by her parents and her beloved husband Martin L. Garcia, Sr. Maria is survived by her daughters, Maria Ghaffarian and Martha Trevino (Raul); son, Martin L. Garcia, Jr. (Diana); sisters, Benita Garza and Mirta Barrera; brother, Adan Garcia; grandchildren, Tony and Adan Ghaffarian, Ross Trevino, Angelica and Trey Garcia; step-granddaughter, JD Garibay; other loving family members and friends. While raising her family, Maria occasionally worked as a cafeteria worker at area schools. She was then invited to run and operate the kitchen at one of Roy Maas’ Youth Alternatives children’s home, where she dedicated her work until her early 70’s. She took great pride in serving the neediest young people of our community, and being part of an organization with such a high calling. Maria enlisted her husband’s (then retired) volunteer service to Youth Alternatives, so she and her husband worked side by side for many years, making the Youth Alternatives children and the staff an important part of their lives. In the final year and a half of her life, Maria lived at Brookdale Senior Living where she found companionship and friends among the other residents, residents’ family members, staff members, and her beloved private caregiver, Amy. She found great enjoyment in playing Bingo and Horse Races on a regular basis with the residents and staff. Maria expressed pleasure living in her “casita” at Brookdale, and delighted in her “G Gallery,” a collection of eight treasured paintings she painted under the guidance of her art teacher, Linda. Her ninth and final painting was completed the day before Maria passed. “Que lindo,” she said to describe her collection. Visitation will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, April 10, 2023 with a funeral service to begin at 12:30 P.M at Mission Park Funeral Chapels South. Interment will follow at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to support the work at Roy Maas’ Youth Alternatives (https://rmya.org/get-involved/donate/#donate).

Tributes

Maria O. Garcia

May 7, 1937 - March 24, 2023