Lillian Geraldine Garcia's Obituary
Lillian Geraldine Lau Garcia, born January 29, 1930 in Wailuku, Maui, HI, passed away May 17, 2017 in Honolulu, HI. She had to leave St Augustine Catholic School in the 7th grade to help raise her 4 younger siblings. At age 20, she became a pen pal to a soldier in Korea fighting the war. Soon after, they met and married, and thus began a military life together taking them around the world. They eventually ended up at McChord AFB, Tacoma, WA, where mom worked in retail for the K-Mart Company. With only less than a 7th grade education, she was able to attain a managerial position before retiring.
In the late 1980’s, both mom and dad retired, they enjoyed traveling to Hawaii, Las Vegas and Reno. When not on a plane, they were Beanie Baby collectors, in extreme delight for the “hunt” for new sightings. They were a big part of their retirement group, lovingly called “Pau Hana”. They met weekly for lunch at the Tacoma Mall Food Court to eat and “talk story” and cherished the friendships they made.
They both volunteered for the Red Cross for more than 30 years, mom’s last location was at Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, WA in the Ophthalmology Clinic. She wanted to “pay it forward” to that department after receiving a corneal transplant.
Her pride and joy were her 4 grandchildren (Shane (Shannon), Brett (Angela), Melissa (Kaohi), and Matthew) and 4 great-grandchildren (Elijah, Noah, Logan, and Emma Lillian). They could do NO wrong.
She leaves behind to celebrate her life her children, Griffith (Teresa), Cheryl (Robert), Ashly (Pamela) and Gaylene (Thomas).
Memorial Services for Lillian will be held on Monday June 5, 2017 at 11:00/AM at Mountain View Funeral Home Garden Chapel, 4100 Steilacoom Blvd. SW Lakewood WA 98499. Interment to immediately follow services at Mountain View Memorial Park. A reception will be held following services at Mountain View Funeral Home Oak Room. Family and friends kindly invited.
Mom and Dad are walking together again, hand in hand, into the eternity sunset in Paradise. We love you mom.
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