Mary Kathy Kathy Garcia

Kathy was born May 1, 1928 in Rapides Parish, Louisiana, to Marshall and Amily Evans. She lived in Pineville, Louisiana, as a teenager and is an alumna of Louisiana Baptist College. As a young woman Kathy moved to Baltimore, Maryland, where she worked for the Sheraton-Belvedere Hotel. It was in Baltimore where Kathy met and married the love of her life Nicolas A. Garcia. Nick was attending medical school when they married in 1955.

In 1957 they moved to Long Island, N.Y. where Nick joined the Navy and Kathy became a Naval Officers' wife. After finishing his radiology residency the Navy transferred them to Portsmouth, Virginia, where Kathy became involved in the community. She had a real talent for writing and became a food columnist for the local newspaper. Her love of flowers grew when she joined the Cavalier Forest Garden Club. In 1964, the Navy transferred Nick & Kathy to the west coast to Camp Pendleton with three little girls and dog in tow.

In 1965, after being discharged from the Navy the young family moved to Fresno where Kathy enjoyed her time as a homemaker and continued to be involved in the community: Malloch School PTA, St. Agnes Associates, La Comida Guild, Women's Auxiliary to the Fresno County Medical Society and Women's League of the Fresno Arts Center. Kathy put her heart and soul into every relationship and project in which she was involved. Her gift of warm hospitality, her love of entertaining and cooking will long be remembered.

Most important and always first in Kathy's life were her family, children and grandchildren. Her greatest legacies are love of family, her role as a dedicated Mother and Nana, holiday traditions and her great compassion, faith and strength.

The family is grateful for the loving care of Beatriz Ojeda, Cathy Krout from St. Agnes Hospice, Sumerford Place Staff and Aziza Lehman from Angelicare.

She is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, Nicolas Garcia; daughters, Kimberly Smith and her husband Anthony, Pamela Hirsch and her husband James, Gillian Pluma and her husband Timothy; eight grandchildren; her brother, Leo Evans and his wife Teres. Kathy leaves behind many other family members and many "Good and Dears" that she loved.

Visitation will be held at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home on Wednesday March 7, 2012 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm followed by Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 7:00 pm.

Celebration of Life Mass will be held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 355 E. Champlain Dr., in Fresno on, Thursday, March 8, 2012 at 11:00 a.m.

Remembrances may be given to the Alzheimer's Association, St. Agnes Hospice or Sumerford Place.