 She spent her childhood in Omaha, Neb., and Crawford.
She married Arthur Garcia on Aug. 30, 1980. He survives. Mrs. Garcia was a pioneer for women in underground coal mining at Westmoreland Mine in Paonia and was a partner in her own cleaning business in Cañon City. She chaired several ladies tournaments, served on many committees and was a volunteer at the Nike Tour. She was president of her sorority chapters in Paonia and Cañon City.
She lived in the Pacific Northwest for the last 13 years. She enjoyed crafting, gardening, friends and family, the Denver Broncos, music, traveling, golf and volunteering in her many clubs and organizations. Mrs. Garcia is survived by her children, Lori (Benji) Leonard of Cañon City, Kevin Sterns of Delta, James Sterns of Grand Junction, Echo (Robin) Strong of Fort Collins, Christa (Lisa) McKirchy of Tempe, Ariz., and Kelly Garcia (Russ Benfield) of Glendale, Ariz.; 13 grandchildren, Greg Leonard, Azirae Leonard, Chase Leonard, Tyler Leonard, Kevin Sterns, Hannah Sterns, Amber Sterns, Jordan Gabriel, Cooper Strong, Reese Strong, Ephram McKirchy, Ethan McKirchy and Brooke Benfield; two great-grandchildren, Kennedy Leonard and Tanner Leonard; and her siblings, Shirley Schneider of Omaha, Neb., Gary Gates and his wife Sheri, Meri McCarney, and Larry Gates and his wife Angie, all of Delta, Terry Gates and his wife Mary of Rio Rancho, N.M., and Sue Weatherford and her husband Scott of Delta. She was preceded in death by her mother, Ruth Gates; and a son, James Sterns.
A celebration of life will be held Sunday, Sept. 6, at 11 a.m. at Paonia City Park. A picnic will follow. Memorial contributions may be made to the Endowment Fund at Hospice at the Chaplaincy, 2108 W. Entiat Ave., Kennewick, WA 99336.
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