Barbara Lou Garcia

Barbara Lou (Montoya) Garcia was born on May 14, 1935, to the late Fermin Montoya and Barbarita Montoya, in Bernalillo, New Mexico. She passed peacefully at her home on, Wednesday, August 3, 2022, at the age of 87. Barbara was surrounded by a large family she loved dearly. She was the youngest of 13 children. Since her siblings were much older than her, she was cared for and looked after by them as if she was their own. She was closer in age to her nieces and nephews.

After graduating from Bernalillo High School, she worked as a waitress, but some of her fondest memories was when she worked at an orphanage. She could recall vividly the babys’ laughs and their faces and what joy they brought her. Soon after, Barbara incorporated that love into her own family. She met her husband, Isaac Garcia, when they both were very young children. Although they were always just friends throughout their school days, Isaac always had a special place in his heart for her. Isaac reconnected with Barbara while he was in the Marines. After six months, he proposed and were married on March 2, 1957. Barbara was not only a wife of virtue, but a mother of 5. After newly married, they lived a few years in San Francisco. They subsequently moved in 1960 to establish their lifelong home in Pico Rivera, California.

Barbara enjoyed life to the fullest and had a heart of gold. As a stay at home mom, she enjoyed cooking, family gatherings, keeping her home organized, listening to worship songs and singing in the church choir. She was infamously known for her love to dance. She had so much compassion for those who were needy and extended her hand to them. Her generosity was completely driven by our Lord Jesus Christ.

Barbara was born into a home with great faith in Jesus. Her love and faith for Christ grew stronger as her years went on. Many family members would call her for prayers. She earnestly prayed and would not stop. Her love for Jesus was tremendous and beautiful. She had many trials and tribulations but always would say its in our Lord’s hands. Her favorite verse was: “No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Joshua 1:5). She lived by that verse. She taught her children and family many valuable lessons but the greatest was the love she had for Jesus.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband Isaac Garcia, and was the last of her generation.

She was a proud mother and survived by Isaac R. Garcia, Virginia Erives, Henry Garcia, Frances Serrano, and Belinda Morris, 4 in-laws: Guadalupe Garcia, Daniel Erives, Joe Serrano and Michael Morris, 11 Grandchildren: Esther, Barbara, Stephanie, Amanda, Timothy, Johnathan, Danielle, Kimberly, Makena, Kelly and Malalchi, 12 Great grandchildren: Eileen, Aaron, Elijah, Daniel, Angel, Lily, Alana, Alisha, Alyssa, Aleena, Jennavie and Julie, 5 Grandchildren In-laws: Daniel, Joshua, Candy, Steven and Zachariah.

There will be a viewing on August 24, 2022, from 5:00 - 9:00 pm, at the Visitation center.

Following is the funeral service on August 25, 2022, from 9:00 - 10:00 am., at the Memorial Chapel. Burial to follow.