Olivia Garcia

September 16, 1941 - October 5, 2016

Olivia Garcia of Waukesha was born to Eternal Life Wednesday, October 5, 2016 at her home surrounded by her loving family at age 75. She was born in Texas on September 16, 1941 the daughter of Serapio and Siria (nee Pacheco) Garza. Olivia enjoyed people, loved to laugh and her smile was infectious. She felt, loved and hurt deeply. She spent her life in community service starting her work life as a young migrant worker in the south. She spent many years in Arkansas before moving to Kenosha where she met Henry Garcia spending 55 years of marriage together. She was a preschool teacher, worked at Amron with her sisters and GE, managed several shoe stores and was an interior designer at Sherwin Williams. In addition, Olivia worked for many years at La Casa de Esperanza. She ended her career with Waukesha Public Schools where she worked in the business office and at Waukesha South where she was the Athletic Director’s secretary. No matter where she worked, she would help anyone in need. She gave her heart and soul to the community. She supported the establishment of La Casa de Esperanza, bilingual education in Waukesha and helped bring the Spanish Mass to St. Joseph Church. Olivia organized for many years the living stations of the cross, a reenactment through the community from The Strand, where she lived, ending at St. Joseph's Catholic Church. She was a source of inspiration for so many. People would come to her home to share political views, religious views, social justice views and look for support and inspiration. People came to her home for refuge from their struggles and she always made sure everyone was well fed. She loved to cook and everyone thoroughly enjoyed her food. If anyone was hungry or did not have food she would make sure they did. If money was short in her life she still gave and would say “I am not worried because I bank with the Universal bank of God.” She will be sadly missed by those who were touched by her. 

She will be sadly missed by her husband of 55 years Henry of Waukesha and their children, Sandra (Ricardo) Gomez of Milwaukee, Daniel (James Sutrick) Garcia of Milwaukee, Margo (Jim) Camacho of Waukesha and Reynaldo Garcia of Waukesha. She was the cherished grandmother of Leticia (Chico) Diaz, Sylena Gomez, Alyssa (John) Holman, Adriana Gomez, Enrique (Madeline) Camacho, Abraham (Katie) Camacho, Esteban (Amanda) Camacho, Marisa Camacho and Olivia Camacho and great-grandmother of Amina Holman, Lelani Diaz Castillo, Freddy Duarte and Nikolas, Mariana and Wyatt Camacho. She is further survived by her siblings, John (the late Mary) Garza, Susan (the late TR) Macareno, Juanita Garza, Betty Garza, Paula Rodriguez and Mel (Jessie) Garza along with nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Preceded in death by her parents and brothers and sisters, Serapio Jr., Alfred, Lola Flores, Rosa (Andy) Anderson and Cleo Llanas.