Obituary of Ysaura G. Garcia

Ysaura Garcia, known to most as Chawa or Grandma, was born in Miami, AZ to Juan & Esperanza Garcia on 5/18/1929. She was a mother, housewife, childcare provider and housekeeper. She not only raised her own children, she also helped raised her younger brother, nieces and several grandchildren. Even the neighborhood kids called her Grandma. She always welcomed many into her home with open arms. She found her soul mate with her husband, Philip. Their love for one another was a rare find! He loved her more than life itself! Even on his very last breath, he was still thinking of her & wanted to make sure she would be taken care of. Her love for her husband was just as deep & strong as his for her. After his death, Grandma stopped speaking…loss of her husband was simply unbearable! As most of you know, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's many years ago. It started with simple forgetfulness, a very slow progression of a horrible disease. She was a lover of animals---her husband & son built a walk-in avery which housed her finches, cockatails & canaries. She also loved gardening, had a greenhouse, spent hours in her yard watering & caring for her plants. At the end of day Grandma & Grandpa would sit under the tree with their beers relaxing, while chit-chatting with neighbors, friends and family. She enjoyed spending time with her family, listening to music, watching her novelas and camping. Going to the beach, was her most ultimate favorite pastime! One of my favorite memories with her & my grandfather was a camping trip we took. I remember most of the family being there----uncles, aunts, cousins, my mother and siblings. It was late in the afternoon & we all gathered at the baseball field at the camp grounds. Everybody was playing baseball even Grandma & Grandpa! I remember Grandma hitting the ball & Grandpa running the bases for her…then her shouting “Run faster Felipe, faster!!” I will never forget that day, the smiles on everyone's faces, giggles & chuckles! All of us enjoying the time spent together as a family! Those simple yet priceless moments will always be cherish forever! She had a sweet tooth too! She loved her sweets especially her strawberry shakes! She was a very smart & talented woman --- never learned to read & write. She taught herself to crochet, made amazing doilies & blankets simply by looking at patterns. She made baby blankets for her grandchildren & some of great grandchildren when they were born. I still have mine! It’s a piece of her I will cherish forever! She was always in high spirits, loved to talk to everyone and was a people-lover. She also had a little rebellious side to her too! I guess, we can say, she was a little firecracker! She stood her ground when needed. She had a fighting spirit in her and she was an amazingly strong woman! Her favorite color was green & she never left the house without her red lipstick on. That’s the kind of wonderful woman she was! She held a very, very special place in all of our hearts! She will be dearly missed, never forgotten, always lovingly remembered…and her fun loving memories will live on in our hearts forever!! Rosery & Church service will be at St Pascal Baylon Church 155 East Janss Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360 on Monday 1/12/2015 a Family lead Rosery at 9:30am followed by Mass at 10:30am with Reverend Michael Rocha of St Pascal Baylon Church officiating. Reception to be held at the hall following services. Burial will be announced at later date to be held at Peirce Brothers Valley Oaks,