Evarista "Eva" Garcia

Evarista “Eva” Garcia died at her home in Sunnyside on October 5, 2017 at the age of 76.

Eva is survived by siblings Mercedes Cantu (Hector), Anita Garcia Morales (Ray) and Adrian Garcia, all of Seattle; Marcelo Garcia (Debbie) and Paul Garcia (Sally) of Sunnyside and her long-time companion Antonio Nava of Mattawa. She is also survived by 18 nieces and nephews and several grandnieces, grandnephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents Marcelo and Beatriz Garcia, her sisters Rosita Garcia and Agustina Palomarez and brothers Mario, Guadalupe and Andrew Garcia.

Eva was born October 27, 1940 in Bryan, Texas but moved to Bowling Green, Ohio as a baby. In 1955, when Eva was 14, she arrived with her family in the Yakima Valley.  Her family eventually settled in Sunnyside where Eva spent the rest of her life.

Eva demonstrated a strong work ethic throughout her long life, setting an example for her younger siblings and for anyone else who knew her. She was quiet, reserved and independent. Eva kept a tidy yard with beautiful flowers and small garden and a spotless home filled with cat figurines inside and out that she collected on her travels or were given to her by family and friends.

She enjoyed traveling and did so extensively across the United States and Mexico and was always planning her next trip. She also sat in her share of noisy and neon-lit casinos from close to home to as far away as Connecticut and Louisiana. Eva even served as a chaperone to 29 lively middle schoolers on a trip to Washington, DC and had more kid contact than she had ever imagined. She liked children quiet and well-behaved, which put her out of luck with most of her nieces and nephews, but she loved them nonetheless.

Eva was a wonderful cook and baker, and any family member will attest to that. If she knew your favorite dish or dessert, she would do her best to have it ready when you came by whether it was her pineapple upside down cake or her just-right refried frijoles. Everything she put her hand to was delicious and she seemed to do it all effortlessly and brushed aside compliments. The memories of coming “home” for the holidays and all the good smells enveloping you upon opening the door will always be associated with Eva.

Eva was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Sunnyside, carrying on the tradition of her parents Marcelo and Beatriz.  

Viewing and Visitation will be held Monday, October 9, 2017 from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm with recitation of Holy Rosary at 6:00 pm at the Smith Funeral Home Chapel in Sunnyside, WA. Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, October 10, 2017 at 10:00 am at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Sunnyside, WA. Those wishing to sign Eva’s online memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com Smith Funeral Homes in care of arrangements.

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