Mary Alice Garcia

Mary was born in Hanford, California to Manuel Jacinto Nunes and Ambrosina Bezzera April 13, 1928. She was married to Clarence J. Garcia Sr., for 64 years. She spent 82 years of her life in Hanford prior to moving with her husband to Winchester, California with their daughter Liz, son in law John and granddaughter, Taylor. Earlier this year they all moved to Gilbert Arizona.

Mary grew up on her father’s farm with her sister and two brothers. She graduated in 1946 from Hanford Joint Union High School. In her Senior Yearbook adjacent to her picture, it read: Mary Nunes, “An efficient housekeeper and seamstress—besides being a student”. She worked on her father’s dairy farm as well. On May 18, 1951 she married the love of her life at St. Brigid Catholic Church. They subsequently built a home on a portion of her father’s property and raised four children. Her first job outside of the home was at Peter Pan Restaurant where she quickly realized waitressing was not for her. She worked for Hanford Laundry and then decided to return to what she knew and loved best, seamstress work. After life and business changes she transitioned to M & M Cleaner’s in Hanford where she became a presser. She loved her boss and her job and made several very close friends there. Even after retiring, she decided to return to work part time for a short while.

She was a member of the St. Brigid Catholic Church from birth, later becoming a member of Blessed Theresa of Calcutta in Winchester, California and most recently St. Mary Magdalene in Gilbert, Arizona. She prayed for everyone and made a point to visit and even care for sick and aged friends and family while she was able. She loved her family and her great cooking was always at the center of every family get together on Fargo. Known for being the mom and grandma who made the best Portuguese sweet bread and filhos on earth, she would mail packages of sweet bread with candies and treats for all the special holidays. She enjoyed reading and reminiscing about family vacations and time spent at Pismo Beach, family events at Mooney Grove and Burris Park and time spent with her grandchildren and great grand children whom she adored. Although quite shy when younger, she later became known for her quick wit and sense of humor, almost always generating an abundance of laughter.

Mary is preceded in death by her husband; Clarence J. Garcia Sr., her son Dino, brothers Jerome Nunes and Manuel J. Nunes from Hanford and her sister, Angie Nunes of Lemoore. She is survived by her son, Clarence Garcia Jr., two daughters; Liz Brenner and her husband John, Alice M. Moore and husband David of Alaska. Her 7 grandchildren Matthew A. Moore, Joshua A. Moore and his wife Megan, all of Alaska, Nathan A. Moore and his wife Erin of Maryland, Megan E. Moore also of Alaska, Lisa Petty and her husband Richard of Hanford, Sandy Olmstead and her husband David of Bakersfield and Taylor M. Brenner of Arizona. 8 Great Grandchildren; Mackenzie and Adam Petty of Hanford, Marley Olmstead of Bakersfield, Noah and Emma Moore of Maryland , Blake, Tenley and Bettsy Moore, all of Alaska, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

There will be a visitation on Thursday, January 5, 2017 from 5-7pm with a recitation of The Holy Rosary at People’s Funeral Chapel, 501 N. Douty St. in Hanford, Ca. 93230 at 6 p.m. A Burial Mass will be held at St. Brigid Catholic Church 1001 N. Douty St., Hanford, Ca. 93230 on Friday, January 6th at 11 a.m. Burial will be held at Calvary Cemetery 11680 S. 10th Avenue, Hanford CA. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations are made to Americare Hospice Foundation 1212 N. Spencer St. Suite 2 Mesa, Arizona 85203. Mary’s family would like to thank them for the care, compassion and spiritual support provided.