Lydia Garcia

November 18, 2016

Lydia Garcia was born on March 5, 1925 in Guaynabo Puerto Rico. She was a child during the Great Depression. When we were children, waiting for Santa to make his delivery, with the loads of toys we received, she'd always recall a Christmas when she was a little girl "I can remember my father giving me a doll in a paper bag." She attended school in Puerto Rico up to the sixth grade when our grandmother Abuela Tomasa urged her to get a job to help the family. One of the jobs she acquired was with the Stein Family, from Suchville, Guaynabo. A development near their home. They enjoyed her so much that they asked her to move with them in Silver Springs Maryland. As her job duties lessened in Maryland with the Stein's, she moved to Washington DC with her brother Agustin, and worked as a maid. She later moved to NYC, Spanish Harlem, on 116th street to live with one of her brother's, Catalino. She worked as a seamstress. It was here where she befriended her long time friend Carmen Rondon. I can recall Carmen telling me "your mother saved my life." She invited Carmen to attend her church and a life long friendship began. It was through this friendship that she met our father, Ernesto. After her marriage, they moved Brooklyn on Herzl Street, then to Christopher St,, then Starr St, and eventually landed on Eldert Street where we meet modern history. This is where Ernie, Eric and Debora grew up, PS151. During this time she worked as Health Aide in our elementary school and later as a seamstress in a sweater factory. After my fathers death in 1991 she and Debora moved to Atlantic City and later lived with Debora for her final years. My mother went by many names, Lydia, Lila, Titi Lila, abuela, Lali, and Lady Lydia. Our mom was known for her rice and beans and her coffee. She was an amazing cook. Lydia is survived by her son Eric and daugher-in-law Irene, her daughter Debora and son-in-law Jabiel, grand children Jasmine and Piper, siblings David, Maria, Luz Maria, Elizabeth, and Delilah, well over 40 nieces and nephews, and countless friends. She will be sorely missed. Please join the family for the Celebration of Life for Lydia Garcia Saturday, November 26 @ St. Peter's Lutheran Church 105 Highland Pl., Brooklyn, New York 9am - 9:45am Visitation 9:45am - 10:45am Celebration Service 11:00am The burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery at 11:00 am 1630 Bushwick avenue Brooklyn NY If you would like to send flowers there is a local flower shop listed below. City Line Florist 1089 Liberty Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11208 718.647.9735