Juanita Garcia

Juanita Diane Garcia, 80, of St. Paul, MN passed away on March 20, 2024.

She was preceded in death by her parents James and Lupe Mauricio, brothers James Jr., Matthew, Kenny, sister Nancy Mills, and son-in-law James Costello, grandson Gabriel Mendoza, great grandson Jack Tuhy and Onyx. She is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, Richard Garcia, and her children Christine Elliott, Janet Costello, Sandra and Kito Robles, Sharon and Eric Heinrich, Edward and Katrina Garcia, Cecilio and Erin Garcia, and Kristie Harris. Along with her 23 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and 2 great, great grandchild and many nieces and nephews.

Diane was a devoted homemaker who loved her husband and children. She loved having the family around and all the noise that came with it! She enjoyed shopping, gardening and watching cowboy movies. Her family remembers all the great stories she used to tell. Each child has some special memories to share. She was a devoted member of her church Our Lady of Guadalupe and was a member of the Guadalupanas.

Christine will never forget the month of May because it was her mom's birthday and Mother's Day. They would often spend the day shopping at Gerten's and she would go crazy picking out flowers and tomato plants and Christine would bring her home with a car full of plants!

Janet remembers how her mom loved the holidays, but Christmas was her favorite. She loved having all the family around. She remembers everyone gathering at the table that extended to the end of the living room. Janet also remembers how her mom cared for her when she had breast cancer during her Chemo and Radiation treatments and helped her raise her kids when she was a single mom. Janet remembers her mother always being there for her.

Sandra remembers all the things her mom taught her. How to be patient and love. That family is everything and to be there for your brothers and sisters. Her mom taught her how to cook. Told her to never go to bed mad otherwise you will not sleep well. Sandra will be keeping all of these memories in her heart.

Sharon remembers having private tea parties with kool-aid and crackers and playing with dolls with her mom because she was too little to go out with the big kids. One of her favorite stories is when her Dad was at her house and checked on mom through video cameras. She was walking around and Dad told mom to sit down. She told him to shut up and kept walking around. Then Dad said "Diane this is God speaking; sit down." She looked up and then went to sit down!

Cecilio remembers laying on his mom's lap and she would brush his hair with her hand and rub his ear until he fell asleep. Now when he feels a light touch on his ear when he is sad- he knows she is there comforting him. He also remembers weekends in the kitchen with his mom watching her cook. That is how he developed his passion for cooking.

Services will take place on Friday April 19th at Our Lady Of Guadalupe Church 401 Concord Street St. Paul, MN Visitation at 10:00 am, Rosary at 11 am with the Guadalupanas, with service following at 11:30 and a lunch will immediately follow in the hall of the church.