Patsy Garcia

Patsy Jean Garcia passed away on April 23, 2022 while surrounded by her family, after a courageous battle with and complications from pancreatic cancer. She was 76.

The youngest of four children, Patsy was born on July 2, 1945 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and was preceded in death by her father, Luciano Santiago Garcia; mother, Carlota Abeyta Garcia; and brother, David Garcia.

After graduating from Sandia High School in 1963, where she was an excellent student, she studied languages at UNM and traveled to Spain and Morocco. She lived in Ohio and Nashville, TN for several years before returning to her hometown where she married and had two children. She and her family took yearly vacations across North America, including Mexico and Hawaii. She later returned to college at the University of Phoenix to pursue a degree in Business Administration.  Patsy started her federal government career at the General Accounting Office, now known as Government Accountability Office. She ended her career in the Contracting Department for the Department of Energy on Kirtland AFB, as a Contract Specialist where she retired after more than 30 years of service.

After retirement, Patsy traveled to Cabo San Lucas, Costa Rica, Puerto Vallarta, the Bahamas, Costa Rica, British Columbia, and Nova Scotia, just to name a few. She had future travel plans to visit Spain, Portugal, the Mediterranean, and Baltic Sea.  Patsy loved music, dancing, gardening, cooking, genealogy, reading, traveling, painting, and taking care of her birds. She made friends wherever she went. She was active in the local community center’s line dancing classes and made many friends there. And she enjoyed hosting dinners for family and friends. She was especially known for her delicious red and green chile enchiladas. Her garden and flowers were a passion and she loved taking care of her favorite flowers: roses, daisies, and lilies. She loved watching hummingbirds drink from the feeder or one of the many flowers in her backyard.

“My mom was the kindest, most loving person I knew. She was always willing to help a friend or family member. We could talk about anything. She had a smile that could light up a room and gave the best hugs. She was not only my mom, but my best friend and confidant.  Throughout my life, she taught me what it was to love and be loved, to care and be cared for, to stand on my own two feet and be independent.  She encouraged me to pursue what made me happy. She was my first love, my rock, my light, my dance partner and I will forever miss her. I love you so much, Mom and always will.”         – Tiffany Williams, daughter.

“Even though my mom would say that her legacy is her two kids, I say that she is best known amongst friends and family for how helpful and giving she was. She believed in me when most people didn’t, and supported me, even if she didn’t always agree with certain life choices I made. Mom inspired my music career, and it excited her to see me grow in the profession.  Even when I left music and pursued something different, she was always there to support and encourage me. I will miss our phone conversations where we would talk about all the positive things that happened since we talked last, and I will also miss bringing a smile to her face by telling her about a new life milestone I achieved. I love you mom, and you will always be in my heart.” — Shannon Williams, Son.

Patsy Garcia is survived by her son, Shannon C. Williams and daughter, Tiffany J. Williams; granddaughter, Hailey Lopez; her sisters, Carmen Drebing and Emma Lou Kirby; nieces, Janis Ross, Darci Winner, Danette Hanna, and Denise Borah; nephews, Wade Kirby and Mark Drebing.

Patsy’s Memorial Service will be held Saturday, May 28, 2022, 9:00 a.m. at FRENCH – Lomas with a Reception to follow.

Please email any pictures you may have to be included in her memorial video to loveu4everpjg@gmail.com.