Elena Garcia

Elena Garcia, previously known as Maria Elena Cuellar, died on March 26, 2022 in her home in Goshen, Indiana with her husband and youngest daughter at her bedside. Her fragile body granted her one final wish: freedom from the suffering it had caused her.

Elena was born on December 15, 1956 to Teresa and Tomas Cuellar in Guanajuato, Mexico. She flourished like a vivacious, exquisite flower, nourished by the tenderness of her mother and eleven siblings.

At eighteen-years old, she moved to America in hope of a better life. Though life was not always kind, she found comfort in small joys, like favored dishes and teaching herself English by writing the lyrics of her favorite songs in her journals.

She married her husband, Alfredo Garcia, in 1984. The two raised three children together: Joshua, Melinda, and Anna Melissa. She loved her children more than anything in this world and constantly stated that they were her greatest accomplishment.

Elena was employed by Lippert Components for nearly ten years until she was no longer able to work due to her cancer diagnosis. Many of her employers stated she was a hard-worker; she could be counted on to go above and beyond. All true, but all tragically irrelevant. An old coworker of hers spoke of how kind and welcoming Elena was when she first entered the company. The way she made jokes to put her at ease and how she enjoyed spending time with her.

Elena enjoyed watching AEW and game shows with her husband, knitting, and being read to by one of her daughters. Unfortunately, they were not able to complete Los Juegos del Hambre. She also enjoyed listening to music, something that never changed across the years of her life.

Elena and her oldest child, Joshua, used to race each other on lawnmowers, one always behind the other. He loved teasing her; these moments were no different. She had a sense of humor that always put a smile on her son's face. Elena was the epitome of genuine strength to him, the way she steeled herself despite fear in the face of hardships. He cherished the moments when she would press his shoulders into her arm, squeezing him tightly and stating how much she loved him. His mother meant everything to him; the reason he knows unconditional love.

Elena and her middle child, Melinda, used to enjoy the thrill of thrifting and finding hidden treasures. It was more of a therapeutic experience that was enjoyed together. As a young child, Melinda would witness her kindness towards others by always gifting presents or being there for others in need and she saw the way people felt special due to her kind demeanor. Her child wanted to do the same and decided to pursue a career in the funeral industry. She wanted to honor her mother's legacy by helping others during the most difficult time in one's life…when you lose a human treasure.

Elena and her youngest, Melissa, used to go out to eat at their favorite Indian restaurant before her cancer diagnosis. Nearly every Friday after work and classes at one-o'clock, the two would sit across from each other with different dishes in their metal trays as they vented about trivial afflictions. After the diagnosis, the two were almost always together in her room. On some nights, one listened while the other read out loud. Elena wasn't just Melissa's mother, but her best friend and the person she loved most in the world. Just as in The Little Prince, Elena became Melissa's star in the sky, perpetually inhabiting them.

Elena Garcia is survived by her husband, Alfredo, her three children: Josh Cuellar, Melinda Ramos, and Anna M. Garcia, and four dogs who loved her dearly.