Norma Lucia Garcia

Grandma- You are so special to me. I thought I wouldn't survive without you but I know that's not what you would have wanted. I could hear you saying, " Ashley, don't be silly I am here with you now and we will meet again!" I treasure all our memories from childhood to now into adulthood! I am so glad that you were my grandma I couldn't have asked for anyone better! I love you always, until we meet again…

Fifty years of friendship with Norma and her family and with my family were years of achievement, adventure and great pleasure. Musically, Norma and I built a very creditable fifth and sixth grade chorus at Paradise Hills Elementary School and later we extended our love of music to several years of attending the San Diego Symphony. Away from school we loved eating out together and also loved playing cards as often as possible. Best of all was our love for traveling, especially trips to Canada, Hawaii and Spain. One memory I will never forget was going to breakfast in Spain one morning. Norma ordered scrambled eggs ? the chef did not know what it was. With her great command of Spanish, she pushed her way into the kitchen and said, ?I'll show you how to scramble eggs.? She did and the cooks cheered. The unexpected was the norm for Norma and she left a huge emptiness in my heart. – ?Uncle? Norwin Rosner

Mrs. Garcia was one of the most wonderful teachers – those of us who were her pupils, are so, so fortunate. My prayers go to the Garcia family, and you should know her love and passion for teaching lives on in so many awesome people… Stefanie (Wagstaff) Becker

I have so many great memories with Norma!! I have had the pleasure of growing up with her grand daughters (whom I adore) and being raised by a second Mom and friend Norma' s daughter Sylvia, who has always treated me as her own. So many times I have been invited to, dinner, movie nights, game nights, Christmas cookie making parties, birthdays, celebrations, and so many more fun things, where I got to spend quality time with Norma. We had so many great conversations and laughs. I could really talk to her about anything, and I knew she was always gonna give it to me straight! One of my all time favorite things to do with Norma, was play Head and foot which is probably my favorite card game ever (thanks to the teachings of Norma, Sylvia ,Tash and Ash). We could sit and play for hours. Just enjoying each others company as the time past without a care. It will not be easy with Norma gone, but one thing I know for sure, is that her beautiful legacy will live on in her children and granddaughters, because they are all just as beautiful as she was. Love and miss you Norma, May you rest in peace!!! Xoxo Carly!!

Grandma i love you from the bottom of my heart! I miss you more every day. I think about you in my daily activities and wish you were still with us to go on our fun adventures that we used to go on. Your spirit will always be in my heart and you and grandpa and lita and poppa will be watching over us all. I love you grandma!

The day Norma & family moved in next door to me, I brought over a homemade banana bread. That was the beginning of a beautiful and long lasting friendship we enjoyed since they moved in at 9121 Brier Road La Mesa in the early 1970's.We had a lot in common. We both worked for San Diego Unified School District as teachers. We both loved music: she was a pianist, and I loved to sing. We both loved animals. When they moved next to me, they brought with them 4-5 pekinese dogs . Her favorite was Sable which had a very loud shrill cry.We enjoyed being with her family, and celebrated holidays, birthdays, and other events that are part of life. We were close to her family, and extended family as well. We were Jewish, and they were of Mexican American decent and of the Catholic faith. We were so close, that we were like family. We enjoyed our traditions, along with theirs. Our mothers became very close friends as well.Through all of what life has to offer, we shared together. One of the fun things we enjoyed was the July fourth celebration on Brier Road. We all participated in the parade with our playing an instrument, singing, whatever our talents were. Our picnic afterward was the celebration all our neighbors shared together. I remember when Norma worked all day long, and then went to San Diego State University at night for advanced degrees. I remember her musical gifts helped her to be in charge of many school programs.I remember during political elections discussing the issues to get her opinion of it all. Our discussions proved very invaluable to me.I remember Norma sitting down at her piano playing Christmas carols, and accompanying whomever wanted to participate. Likewise, we celebrated Chanukah making and eating Latkes (potato pancakes). We learned to appreciate each other's culture. It made me a better person.Norma loved going to a book club on Brier Road. That was so important to her.She also made me aware of The San Diego Tax payer's Association related to proposition 13, and keeping it in tact.Norma had such a beautiful personality. She was intelligent, a loving mother, wonderful friend, the best of teachers, loyal wife, a great mentor, a kind person, accepting of other people of all kinds, a great investor buying real estate, high minded, and a loyal friend that I will love forever. I will always love her husband Louis, and their children. I will miss speaking with her, and being with her as a dear friend. She was the essence of all that was good, and she loved the hispanic culture that she was raised in. I hope that I can be as strong as she was, and be a good example to my family as she was to hers. May you rest in peace my dear friend.