Lillie S. Garcia, formerly of Safford, passed away March 13, 2019, in Tempe at the age of 89. Lillie was born Jan. 20, 1930, in Metcalf, Arizona, to Eleodoro and Marianna Saenz.
She married Willie R. Garcia in 1948 and they settled in Morenci until 1979, when they moved to Safford. She resided in Safford until 2017, when she then moved to Goodyear. to be close to family.
Lillie was a very talented and crafty homemaker. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, needlepoint, and crochet just to name a few of her many talents. She also greatly enjoyed cooking and baking. She very much-loved spending time in her yard tending to her flowers and fruit trees. She was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Parish and was involved with both the church choir and bereavement committees.
Lillie was one tough cookie! After raising her family, she continued to pursue her dreams. She learned to drive a vehicle well into middle age and then returned to school and completed her G.E.D. She then enrolled at Eastern Arizona College, where she received her Associates Degree. She also took many different classes and pursued her love of music by taking piano lessons as a grandmother! Tenacity, perseverance and a strong will were the hallmarks of her character.
Lillie is survived by her sons, Robert (Maria), of Goodyear, Richard (Elsa), of Phoenix; siblings, Angela Padilla, Rodolpho Saenz, Tony Saenz, Amelia Rodriguez, Esther Vallejo, Ernest Saenz, and Barbara Sanchez; grandchildren, Michelle Garcia, Veronica (Frank) Krammer, Robert T.W. (Teresa) Garcia, Rick Garcia, Mark Garcia, Laura Garcia, and Anita Garcia; and great-grandchildren, Angelica Garcia, Nate Garcia, Brielle Garcia, Karsen Krammer, Jacen Krammer, Braden Krammer, Amaya Garcia, and Dominic Garcia.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Eleodoro and Marianna Saenz; her husband, Willie; their infant son, Richard; and siblings, Theresa Villareal, Carol Westly, and Alice Gomez.
A viewing will be held Tuesday evening, March 19, from 5 until 7 p.m. at McDougal’s Caldwell Funeral Chapel. A Rosary will be at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, March 20, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. Interment will be in the Safford Cemetery. Following the services, a reception will be held at the St. Rose of Lima Church Hall.
Arrangements are under the direction of McDougal’s Caldwell Funeral Chapel & Gila Valley Crematory. Online condolences may be extended at www.caldwellfuneralchapel.com.
