Maria (AKA Marivi) Garcia

“Marivi” Maria Visitacion Garcia was 70 years old when she passed away peacefully (not COVID related!) on Friday night March 5, 2021 at Humber River Hospital in Toronto. After multiple illnesses in more than a decade (including surviving Pancreatic Cancer and then Cancer Free 5th yr mark), she is no longer suffering and is now FREE! She was the Matriarch of our small loving Garcia family and an immensely proud Mom of Bambina (daughter) and Brian (son), and an even more proud Mamits/Omamita, (that’s what her grandkids called her) to Gabe & Angelo / Amelia & Nataniel. She was also proud of her kids-in-law, Leo and Barb, who have been incredibly always supportive. Her love and care for her family knows no bounds. She reminded her kids to always love and take care of each other “because it’s only both of you”, “your dads were never around…”, “Always be there and listen to your kids…”, "Love and respect your spouses.”

Strength:

Not just because she was our mother, but she was the epitome of a strong woman we know. She went through a lot of storms in her life: She was abandoned by both her parents when she was a baby, disowned by her mother, had a distant relationship with her half-siblings from the mother side and non-existent from the father side, lived with different relatives, became a single mom and raised 2 kids... but all those challenges molded her to become a formidable, independent, hardworking mother/woman; she was a highly successful Manager of a Travel Agency, won multiple awards, year after year and would be featured in the local newspapers’ multiple times. Funny thing is that she has a Degree with Honours for Nutrition and Dietetics. She never let her past define her but rather gave her unrivalled strength. She was a remarkable mom, grandma and a friend. Her goal in life was to protect and be there for her kids and serve her grandkids, no matter what. Her wish for us was that we will never have to go through what she went through. Even when she was physically hurting, she would still go out to buy something for her grandkids. Unless absolutely necessary, she would hardly ask for help.

Passions:

1) She loved travelling, because of her job in the early years she got to travel around the world.

2) She LOVES to cook, especially for her kids and grandkids! Also, for family when there are events.

3) Learning and school

4) Having McDonalds Breakfast Sandwich for……… breakfast.

5) Kaffee und Kuchen at her favourite patisserie, Amadeus. (She always invites everyone there)

Thoughtfulness:

She was very thoughtful to a lot of people, she always liked to give something no matter how small it was for her it’s the thought that counts, like a simple card just to let them know that she cared and remembered them, without expecting anything in return. That was how selfless she was. Her favourite charity was the Covenant House-- it was close to her heart, as she knew how it felt like to be trapped in a family with no love and just wanted to get away. The Society of the Little Flower was where she got nice prayer and thoughtful cards that she loved to send out to family and friends. During Christmas season, she had a “Feed 100 children” program where she would make 100 bags of noodle soup for homeless kids and adults so they would have something nice and warm to eat for Christmas.

Faith:

Even with all the adversities and health issues she had in her life, her faith in God never waivered. She was always thankful of what she had. She never stopped praying for her kids and grandkids, for them to be safe. She also prayed for people that have wronged her, that they would find their way. She was always thankful to God for everything small things, even winning a $5 lottery or catching the bus when she was in rush.

Her Prayers:

1) For her kids’ safety. 2) For her grandkid’s future. 3) Not to take her away from this world before her kids are ok and settled. 4) When she dies, she would die peacefully. All of those have been fulfilled in the recent years, prayers were answered. Needless to say, her job was done!!! Her favourite Bible Passage is “God our Protector” Psalm 91.

Care Givers

To the Nurses at Westpark Healthcare, especially Josephine thank you for taking care and spending some time talking and comforting mom. To the ICU Nurses that took care of mom at Humber River Hospital thank you very much for caring and watching over her and being empathic and understanding, I (Brian) have talked personally to most of you expressing my and my family’s gratitude. To Olivia the Social Worker, thank you for helping us with everything. Also, to my mom’s Doctors thank you. Catherine from Canada Heath thanks for giving mom hope.

Sunnybrook Hospital Nurses and the Doctors that help my mom during her Pancreatic Cancer Procedure.

Our Family and Friends:

We are overwhelmed and extremely grateful for all the love and support from our family and friends, whom we are proud to have in our lives: The Carlos, Mendoza, Lagac, Suzara, and Clavano family. Aunt Miyen who was like a sister to mom, they’ve known each other since they were kids, they’re aunt/niece and is always there for us. Tita Tonette was also like a sister to mom, who was always there since we were very young and is still around now; her care for us never wavered. Mom’s good friends who were always there for her in the recent years: Angie, Lisa and “the girls”, Amy and Kathy as well as Eva and Ernie, thank you. Mom’s good old friends Tita Sheila, Tita Mercy, Tita Maricar, Tita Babette, thank you. Last but not the least everyone who have reached out to us and our families, offering mass intentions and prayers, thank you.

“Being directly related doesn’t make a family. Its unconditional love that makes a family.”

Our last words:

Mom / Mamits / Omamita / Marivi

You are loved and you are blessed | Eres amada y eres bendecida | Du bist geliebt und du bist gesegnet

Go with God | Vaya Con Dios | Gehe mit Gott

You are and will always be treasured in our hearts forever, with all the love in the world, we will forever miss you, until we meet again, in Heaven but for now, we will see you in our dreams.  We will make sure that your new grandson Nataniel who is only 1yr old, will know how awesome and strong you are.

Survived by her… Proud kids – Bambina (daughter) & Brian (son) | Grandkids – Gabriella, Angelo, Amelia & Nataniel | Kids-in-law – Leo (son-in-law) & Barb (daughter-in-law)

When God saw that the road was getting rough, the hills were too steep to climb and breathing too difficult, He laid his arm around you and said, "Come home and rest."

Service:

WHEN: APRIL 6, 2021, Tuesday @11:00 a.m

WHERE: St. Marguerite d'Youville Parish - 2400 Sandalwood Pkwy E (Corner Sandalwood & Torbram) Brampton, ON L6R 3A4

Celebration of Life (pending restrictions are lifted) will be September 2021, around her birthday.