Zoila always had a beautiful smile and caring way about her when I would see her.  She was a wonderful lady.  Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.  

Zoila, tan bella persona, tan querida y respetada por todos, por su amabilidad, profesionalismo, discresión, sabiduría, ecuanimidad, compresión. Completamente abnegada a la escuela y los estudiantes. Cariñosa con todos ¡La vamos a extrañar mucho!

Mi mas sentido pésame a su familia ¡Qué su memoria sea una bendición para todos los que la conocieron!

Hector, Angelica and Andrea, 

Callie, Caitrina and I are so saddened to hear of Zoila's passing. She was an exceptional human being. She had a way of making everyone feel special and important. The love your family showed each other was something to be admired. Being around her was something to be treasured. I know nothing can fill the void she leaves behind, but her spirit continues to shine in all of you. We love you and wish we could be with during this time.

Angie, & Callie and Caitrina Fragoso

I have had enjoyable conversations with Zola. She was elegant, intelligent, with a witty sense of humor and a lovely laugh.  Her strengths always shown through; however, my fondest memory was not of a conversation but an actual snapshot in the life of her and my cousin, Hector.

I remember their wedding day. Their first dance as man and wife was telling. The way they swayed and smiled at each other. That was a picture of love. I thank Zola and Hector for sharing that with me.

She will be missed.

Pearl Ochoa





My deepest condolences to all the family. Zoila was a loved community member with a kind heart. RIP.

Alderman Byron Sigcho Lopez 

I was sad to hear the news of Zoila. My deepest condolences to her family.

I had the pleasure of working with Zoila at Whittier Elementary School. She hired me as a teacher and I respected her commitment to our students, parents, teachers and community. She was a bright light and I admired her patience and humor. She will be greatly missed.

Sincerely,

Julie Carter

Zoila's warmth, positive energy and caring spirit meant so much to my family during our daughters' years at InterAmerican. Annika and Sophie remember her with such affection.  Her dedication to bilingual/bicultural education and her leadership as a principled educator inspired me greatly through the years.  We are so sorry for her loss and so glad to have known her. May many wonderful memories comfort her family, her friends and her community.

With much love, 
Chris, Jack, Annika and Sophie

I worked with Zoila at Whittier School for many years. I deeply respected her commitment to what was best for our students, both as people and as bilingual learners. 
With her knowledge and experience of best practices in 
Dual Language Instruction, Zoila helped Whittier School to continue to develop as a dual language school.  She brought many wonderful resources to Whittier.
Zoila and I worked together closely when I was the school counselor. I enjoyed her humor during the times when there was nothing to do but laugh and I learned from her strength when facing difficult situations and when advocating for students.
I am so sorry for her family's great loss. I send them my deepest condolences.

Zoila was a role model educator. I remember meeting her when she worked at Inter-American. We were so lucky to recruit her to lead at Whittier and continue to grow the dual-language program there.

She was a compassionate dedicated educator who will be greatly missed and forever remembered.

My deepest condolences to the family.

Sincerely,

Alyson Boner

Mi querida Zoila,  
Cuanto has ennoblecido a nuestro mundo por tu propia nobleza, sabiduría y valentía. Gracias. Es mi fe que vives en la plenitud de vida y amor en Dios. Viva tu espíritu en nosotros.  
Tu tocaya, Adela 

Zoila, dear friend, I miss you so much.  You live on in my heart and in the hearts of the many people whose lives you have touched.

I cherish a photo I recently came across of Zoila and me, taken almost 20 years ago, at an Interamerican Magnet School 8th grade graduation party. Zoila stands proudly with her head and shoulders characteristically thrown back, her bright eyes beaming. Why? Her daughter, Angelica, was one of the graduates. In my years of friendship with Zoila the goings-on in the lives of her two daughters, Andrea and Angelica, were always prominent topics of conversation. 

Zoila and I were teacher colleagues at Interamerican. Zoila was a fierce proponent of dual language education and helped lead professional development sessions on the theory,  implementation and importance of dual language education.

In 2006, Zoila hired me to be a reading coach at Whittier School, where she was now a principal. She and I worked closely together during that time and we attended several Chicago Public Schools district-wide literacy meetings. At each one she spoke of the importance of dual language literacy education, whether she thought her ideas would be well received or not. She was deeply committed to the Whittier children, the vast majority of whom were Spanish speakers, and she fought for what was best for them. 

As a principal Zoila was a true educational leader and always supported social justice teaching.

I relish the memories I have of the times Zoila and I visited together during the past several years. She was caring, strong, brave, intelligent and a good friend. Thank you, Zoila, for what you gave to me and to the world. 





Me duele el corazón la pérdida de querida Zoila. Qué en paz descanse. 
Zoila’s memory will be a blessing to me and to all who knew and loved her. 
Zoila was always a beacon in a storm, an amazing teacher/leader and a wonderful friend and colleague. I worked closely with Zoila at Inter American when we both taught there and I continued to stay in touch with her as a friend and colleague when she was principal of Whittier School.  Zoila was a champion of bilingual education and children's rights to a wholistic and culturally and linguistically rich education and made lasting connections with families at both schools holding the value of family involvement as a core value and necessary component of being a teacher/leader.
Zoila loved children, valued teachers, she was  always always there for anyone who needed her support (including me), and always luchando for the community.  I will miss her always.  Les mando mi más sentido pésame a la familia.  Abrazos.

I am heartbroken by Zoila’s death and send my deepest sympathies to her family, who are heroic caretakers.

I was in a classroom next to Zoila’s for ten years at Inter-American Magnet School.  She was an outstanding reading teacher and valued member of the Inter-American community.  She was a staunch advocate of dual language education and carried that passion to her leadership at Whittier Elementary School.  She was kind, compassionate, and an outspoken leader as Principal at Whittier.

Zoila was a close friend and colleague of mine.  I have so many wonderful memories over the years, including our trip with Inter-American students to the Copper Canyon in Chihuahua, Mexico.  

I will miss her so much and treasure the  times I was privileged to know her.

To the Zoila Garcia family, 

I was so heart-broken when I heard the sad news about Zoila.  My condolences to the entire family.  

What a passionate outstanding educator and wonderful example for all!  Several of us saw Zoila at a IAMME professional development event in the Spring of 2018 – it was so great to see her, warm as always,  wanting to learn and connect with her fellow colleagues.  Zoila will be sorely missed, but her impact as a role model for educators will be long-lasting. 


We remember Zoila's leadership in dual language education at Whitttier Dual Language Elementary School in Pilsen. The brought her expertise in classroom instruction methods that made dual language real for our students. She also helped negotiate the added staffing and programs that came as a result of the grant won for after school programs at Whittier the '9os. She also oversaw major renovations of our building which followed community demands for libraries in school. She indeed had the lives and future of her students as her beacon, as her motivation to serve the families of Pilsen.  She is indeed to be celebrated on this day.

Hello,

I am saddened to hear of your loss, my thoughts and prayers are with you. In late August 2012, I was excited that Ms. Garcia had hired me for my first job at CPS (Whittier Elementary). In the 1st week of September, the teacher's strike started. As I held up a sign and rallied around the staff, she quickly approached me.  In a caring voice, she apologized that I had to start my first official week in this manner. I told her that I did not mind, and was grateful for the opportunity she had given me. She was such a professional, my mentor, and really cared about the students and staff.  God Bless.

My  deepest condolences.  I am deeply sorry for your loss.  Zoila gave me the opportunity to find my place in the world. She gave me the opportunity to return home and serve my community. She challenged us to always grow, to be positive and to remember that there was always something to learn, no matter how bad the pd was..  

She was compassionate, thoughtful and a memorable pillar in the community. She moved us into possibility, creating a beacon of hope for the Latino community. May her vision and love for public education, for dual language  continue to guide us, even in her absence.

Thank you Zoila, we love and we will miss you.

Family Camacho


My deepest condolences to your family at this time. I am so sorry for your loss. Zoila was my principal for many years at Whittier. I will always remember her as an amazing advocate for children. Zoila was so kind and supportive. She helped me grow as a teacher . I am grateful to have known and worked for Zoila.

I am so sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts are with you. Zoila took a chance on me as a brand new teacher with no experience and I will be forever grateful. She was a courageous advocate for children, the community and for dual language education. Zoila was a strong, compassionate leader and a kind human being, who will be sorely missed.

My thoughts and prayers are with Zoila's family. As principal at Whittier School, Zoila enriched the Dual Language Program.  She will always be respected and loved.

My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Zoila was my Principal for almost ten years.  I remember her as a very kind and very intelligent leader.  She will be missed. 

Dear Garcia family, my condolences for the loss of our dear Zoila.

I met Zoila during her principal leadership at Whittier Elementary.  We worked closely together in helping other dual language schools in CPS grow their dual language program; I often came to her for advice as she was knowledgeable on dual language program implementation.  Her humble manner and shared leadership with her staff is one I have experienced very few times in CPS schools.  Her willingness to share her knowledge is to be celebrated, I will always be thankful for her legacy at Whittier Elementary and her contribution to our dual language programs in CPS.  I celebrate her life and ask our Good Lord to give all of you the peace and serenity to trust that Zolia has just began experiencing eternity. 

Sincerely,
Claudia Solano
Current, Whittier Dual Language Teacher
Former, OLCE Dual Language Specialist

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Zoila Garcia

10 septembre 1953 – 7 juin 2020

Oehler Funeral Home

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