Irene Mary Garcia

Irene Mary Garcia passed away on March 8, 2014, at the age of 71. Born in Los Angeles to Manuel and Carmen Martinez, she was the oldest of four children. From the start, she was the kind, generous, beautiful and inquisitive person she would remain throughout her life. She would always cherish the time she spent with her grandmother, going downtown to see old Mexican movies, CYO dances, her high school journalism club, sock hops, a stint as a model, and so much else that filled her childhood and teen years.

When Irene was in the third grade, she met Eugene (Gene) Garcia, a boy who lived on her street. They dated as teens, and married just a few years later. A house, two sons and a daughter followed soon after. Together they enjoyed dancing, music, movies, reading and traveling through Europe, Asia, Mexico, and the Caribbean. And they especially enjoyed their adventures traveling throughout the U.S. in their beloved "Winnie". They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2013.

Irene was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who did much to instill in her family a passion for learning, an eagerness to explore other cultures, a love of food, movies and music, and so much more. And she loved to talk with pride about the people she loved and what they were doing.

Irene was passionate about, and proud of, her career as a Job Agent for the State of California Employment Development Department. She helped countless people in tough and desperate situations, spending untold hours of her own time in doing so. She received a number of awards throughout her career, and she always did her job with caring, compassion, and a sense of duty and unwavering service to her clients.

Irene is survived by her husband, Gene; her children, Gary, Mark and Gina Garcia; daughters-in-law, Mariah and Kimberly Garcia; Gina's fiancé, Jason Gancedo; former son-in-law, Michael Allen; grandchildren, Emelia, Cameron, Carter and Chiara; and many other beloved friends and relatives.

Irene's family would like to thank the many friends and caregivers who helped her through her long, valiant battle with cancer, including: Dr. James R. Stewart and his staff; the staff at USC Norris Cancer Center, including Dr. Ann Mohrbacher; and the many friends she made during the past decade who, though fighting their own battles, were there alongside her, whether in person or by e-mail and telephone.

A memorial service will be held for Irene on Friday, March 21, 2014, at 10:00 a.m., at Forest Lawn-Glendale, Church of the Recessional, 1712 S. Glendale Avenue, Glendale, CA 91205. If desired, donations in Irene's honor can be made to either of the following organizations: Homeboy Industries (www.homeboyindustries.org) or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (www.lls.org). We will never forget her; we will always love her.