Tributes

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. Sally was born in San Antonio, Texas, on August 1, 1932, the eldest child of Albert and Alvina Padilla. From an early age, she excelled in her studies and was a proud member of the Junior Honor Society. She attended Fox Tech High School, where she served as senior class secretary, was an officer in the “Red Jackets,” and starred as the leading lady in the senior play. After graduating, Sally began working at Kelly Air Force Base. It was during this time that she met her husband, Dan, at a New Year’s Eve party—a meeting that, for Sally, was truly love at first sight. They were married on November 2, 1952, and shared an extraordinary 72 years together. Sally and Dan were blessed with three children—Deborah, Catherine, and Daniel—who brought them seven grandsons and, later, three great-grandchildren. Professionally, Sally rose to become a procurement officer and contract negotiator at Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio. When Dan attended dental school in Houston, she worked at NASA as the sole support for their young family. In 1969, they purchased property in Leon Springs—then considered “the middle of nowhere”—where they built a home for the next 56 years. Sally had a deep love of travel and adventure. She and Dan lived in faraway places such as Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia and on a kibbutz in Israel. Along the way, she swam in waterfall-lined lagoons, slept in thatched houses, hitchhiked to work, and stood atop the ancient fortress of Masada. For Sally, life was always an adventure. Having grown up during the Great Depression, she viewed every challenge as an opportunity and often turned obstacles into games. She was, in every sense, a pioneer woman at heart. Fiercely loyal and devoted to her family and friends, Sally was unwavering in her love and steadfast in her determination—never one to take “no” for an answer. We take comfort in knowing that this remarkable woman, whose presence shaped so many lives, is now at peace. With hope and faith, we look forward to the day we will be reunited with her in heaven, in her glorified body. She is preceded in death by her parents; her siblings, Linda Zuniga, Albert Padilla, Mike Padilla and Richard Padilla; and grandson, Daniel K. Garcia. She is survived by her husband, Daniel Garcia; daughters Deborah Sigoloff and her husband, Nelson and Catherine Garcia and her husband, Louis; her son, Daniel D. Garcia; her grandchildren, Eric Sigoloff, Louis A. Garcia, Sam Sigoloff, Russell Garcia, Gabriel Garcia and Ian Garcia; her great grandchildren, Sammy and Abigail Sigoloff and Maeve Garcia; her sister, Connie Zamora; and numerous nieces and nephews. SERVICES On Monday, August 18, 2025 Visitation will begin at 6:00 P.M. followed by the Rosary at 7:00 P.M. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 8500 Cross Mountain Trail. On Tuesday, August 19, 2025 the Funeral Mass will begin at 10:00 A.M. at the Church and a Reception will follow there. Following the Reception, a Procession will depart the Church at 1:00 P.M. for the 1:45 P.M. Graveside Service at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

Tributes

Sally C. Garcia

August 1, 1932 - August 8, 2025