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Monserrat (Mona) Cruz Garcia was born on April 17th, 1942 to Armando and Leanor Cruz in Cagayan Valley, Philippines. Mona was an extraordinary woman with a capacity to care for those in need that far surpasses most people. She was incredibly intelligent and a self-made woman who came from humble beginnings. She loved the Lord and prayed fervently for her loved ones daily. She was fiercely protective of her family and over-indulgent with her grandchildren. Mona lived by two mantras; “You can achieve anything once you put your mind to it.” and “Always thank the Lord for all you have.” She graduated from the University of the Philippines with a Bachelors in Education. She married Claude Garcia in 1966 and moved with him and her two children to the United States. While working various jobs and raising a family, she continued her education by attending school at night to attain her Teacher’s Certification to be able to teach in the U.S. She taught both Elementary and Middle School and found she had a passion for those with special needs. Her desire to help these students led her to earn a Masters Degree in Special Education. Mona spent the remainder of her career teaching and advocating for her students and was honored as Teacher of the Year in 1990 by the Edgewood Independent School district. After her children were grown, she opened her home to many adults with special needs over the years and received numerous awards for her work as a Caregiver. Her impact to those she helped are numerous and far reaching. To her family, friends and neighbors, she comforted them, helped them in times of need, or helped them achieve their goals in education or a life transition. In this manner she shared the same spirit as one of her heroes, Mother Teresa: “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” The ripples that Mona created are in the stories from the people she helped, close to her home and from far abroad, and will have a lasting impact for years to come. Monserrat C. Garcia went to be with the Lord on Friday, June 28th, 2019 at the age of 77. She is preceded in death by her husband Claude Garcia and her parents Armando and Leonor Cruz and her brother Celestino Cruz. She is survived by her sisters Wilhelmina Espejo and Raquel Tatunay, her daughter Cande Garcia, son Cosme Garcia, daughter-in-law Kimberly, her beloved grandchildren, Seth Nesting and Maya Garcia, and numerous nieces, nephews, Aunts, Uncles and cousins. Funeral Services will be held Friday, July 19th at 11:30am at Mission Park Funeral Chapels South with interment to follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery at 1:00 pm.

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Monserrat (Mona) Cruz Garcia

April 17, 1942 - June 28, 2019