Our family is heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved mother, Mary Anna (Gouker) Garcia who passed away peacefully on August 24, 2025 surrounded by her family, after a long and courageous battle with heart failure. Up until the end, Mary maintained her kindness, grace, compassion, appreciation of beauty, love of family and friends, and expressed gratitude for her long life, full of wonderful and varied experiences. Mary also remained unwavering in her faith to Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Mary was born on April 21, 1946 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Gerald Gouker and Alma (Van Sloun) Gouker and was the eldest of four children. In her early years, Mary attended a convent school, as she wanted to be a nun. But her gift for gab, suggested another path in life. Not long after leaving convent school, she married and  started a family. Mary enjoyed being a homemaker and loved to volunteer in any capacity at the school where her children attended from first grade through twelfth grade.

In her spare time Mary loved to garden, and could bring the sickest plant back to life in a short time. She had beautiful rose bushes and a giant Blue Aloe Vera plant at the end of the yard. She also enjoyed being by the water, whether it was the swimming pool or the beach. Mary had the eternal tan. But more than anything, Mary was a quiet observer, a listening ear, and a steadfast source of wisdom.

After her children were older, Mary entered the workforce as a purchasing agent with Tenneco Oil, then British Gas. British Gas was to relocate overseas and wanted Mary to move with the company, but her family meant too much to her, so she declined. Mary worked for HISD for a short time, before she started working for the City of Pasadena, where she retired in 2023.

Mary will be deeply missed by all who knew her, but her legacy of love, kindness, and strength will live on through her children and grandchildren. Her life was a beautiful tapestry woven with love, resilience, and laughter. We find comfort in knowing that her spirit will continue to inspire us, and we will honor her memory by living lives filled with the same joy she brought to us.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully request that donations be made to The American Heart Association (heart.org) in memory of Mary Garcia.

Mary is survived by her daughters, Socorro (Billy) Gibson, Nicole (Larry) San Felipe, and Danielle (Stephen) Cantu. Grandchildren, David (Karen) Lufsey, Thomas (Jill) San Felipe, Stephanie Lufsey, Grace (Owen) Propsma, and Joshua Cantu. Great-grandchildren, Briley Lufsey, Tia Simpson, Ellisyn Lufsey, Georgiann Lufsey, Kamdyn Shead, Reagan San Felipe, and Haven San Felipe. Sister, Theresa Guillen and significant other Robert Roadriguez. Comadre Guadalupe Cantu and Compadre Carlos Cantu also meant the world to her. Best friends, Beverly Zalesnik and Jeanette Allen, who she would refer to as her "gal pals,"  were God-sends to our mother throughout her life. Dolores Martin, Mary's pew-partner at Saturday's evening mass at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Gerald and Alma Gouker, brother William (Billy) Gouker, and sister Jane Hilliker.