Saundra H. (Carpenter) Garcia

Garcia, Saundra H

Saundra H. Garcia passed away Sunday, September 30, 2018. Sandy was born in Indianapolis, Indiana and graduated from Howe High School. When she was a young girl her family moved to the small town of Salome, Arizona for a few years. Here they ran a gas station and motel. They lived in an old Adobe house with a dirt floor. Her father drove her to school in the larger town of Vicksburg several miles away. A few years later they returned to Indianapolis, Indiana. Here she met and married her first husband (William Brown). From Indianapolis they moved to Lafayette, Indiana, where he attended Purdue University. When he graduated in 1957, they moved to Albuquerque, NM, there Bill took a job at Sandia Laboratories. They had three children, Kathy (Fuller), Karen (McNeil) and Kevin Brown. In the early 1970's they opened a Merle Norman Cosmetics store where Sandy worked for many years. She found great pleasure in providing makeovers to women and selling them products to address their beauty needs. Later, when Bill took an early retirement they opened a second store.

They were divorced in the early 1980's and she remarried John Garcia. John had two daughters, Lisa (Salcido) and Kimberly (Wise). In time they became grandparents to 7 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Sandy worked at the Albuquerque Airport and later the Albuquerque Manor (a nursing home and child care center, where she was an Activities Coordinator). When John retired from the City of Albuquerque, they moved to Elephant Butte, NM. They had been "weekenders" at the Lake for several years prior to the move. Both enjoyed fishing, boating and volunteering for the "Friends of the Park" and the Chamber of Commerce for the City of Elephant Butte. Sandy was active in the Zia Federated Republican Women's Club for many years and worked on several political campaigns including those for Senator Jack Schmidt and Governor Susana Martinez. Upon retuning to Albuquerque, she continued her republican activities.

Sandy loved to sing much to the chagrin of her young children. In later years they would come to appreciate her singing and enthusiasm for life. John and Sandy were active in their church and volunteered in many capacities. Sandy was most definitely an optimist and loved to smile. She always had an encouraging word. She never met a stranger and would strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere. John was an avid bicyclist for many years and Sandy would drive their car in support of the bike rides. They traveled throughout NM and southern Colorado while John was biking. They bought a motor home and enjoyed traveling to the various state parks throughout the state. Her children greatly admired and appreciated John for his excellent care of their mother during her battle with Dementia. His love and devoted care were all encompassing. A special thanks to John's entire family who also gave much needed help and support. Memorial Donations may be made in Sandy's memory to the New Mexico Alzheimer's Association of Albuquerque. A Rosary will be held on Thursday, October 11, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. at FRENCH-Westside. A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, October 12, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. at St. Joseph on the Rio Grande Catholic Church, 5901 St Josephs Dr. NW Albuquerque, NM 87120. Please visit our online guest book for Saundra at www.FrenchFunerals.com.

FRENCH – Westside

9300 Golf Course Rd NW

505-897-0300