August 8, 1919 - March 29, 2015
CELEBRATION OF LIFE
On Sunday, March 29, 2015, Mary C. Garza, age 95, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend transitioned home to be with the Lord. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends.
Mary, born in Alba, Texas, lived a long, loving, fruitful and devoted Christian life. Her life journey began as a child in a farming family of nine siblings, adventuring further as a coal-mining family to communities in Malakoff, TX, Oklahoma City, OK and Grand Forks, ND. In her young adulthood, the family returned to San Antonio where Mary began her Kelly Air Force Base government service career as a "Kelly-Katie" during war time and where she met her future husband Albert Knight (A.K.) Garza. Albert served his country and returned to marry and start their family on the Southside of San Antonio. Mary raised her children and cared for her widowed mother. Mary and Albert, married for 46 years, were founding charter members of St. James the Apostle Catholic Church parish and school where their children were educated. Both were career-long Kelly AFB civil servant when she retired in 1986 after 22 years service. During her retirement, Mary was a devoted church servant, rectory office attendant, and Altar Society board member where she cherished her service and friendships into her 80's.
Mary's love of travel took her to Las Vegas and St. Louise for Toastmaster's conventions, visits to Guadalajara, Mexico, London, UK, a Gulf of Mexico cruise to Belize, Calgary, Canada, and cross-country family vacations from California to Washington, DC. Other interests include activities for the support to the Democratic Party, member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees (DARFE), Altar Society cake sales where her pineapple-upside-down cakes always sold early, the lady's bunko parties, tele-novellas, Dallas Cowboys and S.A. Spurs games.
Mary was preceded by the passing of Albert in 1995 and was the matriarch of love, support and devotion to her family. Her home was always a welcome haven of love for family, friends and neighbors.
Mary's parting leaves four children and daughter -in-law to cherish her memory: Albert Charles Garza, Mary Jo Medina of San Antonio, Marlon Garza (Delia) of Cibolo and Gilda M. Garza (formerly Chavera) of Silver Spring, Maryland. She was grandmother to Jessica Kost (Garrett), Brian Medina (Amber), Joel Garza (Mayra), Christine Duffy (Jason), Eric Chavera and Alexander Chavera.
Great-grandchildren are Sara and Joel Garza, Madeline and Isabella Medina, Katie and Travis Kost and Everett Duffy. Surviving family include siblings Matthew and Victoria Orta, nieces and nephews.
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