San Francisco Chronicle

Bernardina Garcia

November 15, 1922 - February 24, 2023

-

Bernardina J. Garcia aged 100 years, 3 months and 9 days - passed away peacefully in her sleep on 24 Feb 2023 in San Francisco, California. She was born on 15 November 1922 in Palma Soriano, Oriente, Cuba, to Ana Jimenez (Crespo de Los Arcos) of Las Palmas, Canary Islands, and Juan Antonio Jimenez of Sevilla, Spain. A beloved mother and grandmothe­r, she is survived by her sons Adolfo (Mary Harrington) and Juan (Rachel Miller), grandchild­ren Natalia Miller Garcia and Lorenzo Max Garcia, and godson Enriquito Casolla.

Out of concern for her safety because of the revolution in Cuba, Bernardina immigrated permanentl­y to the United States in June 1957. During her short time in Miami, Florida, she married Alfonso Blanco Garcia in April 1958. In May 1958, they travelled across country and settled initially for a brief time in San Bruno, California, before permanentl­y settling in April 1963 in the Eureka Valley neighborho­od of San Francisco, California.

Singularly devoted and dedicated to her two sons, she shepherded them through their rambunctio­us kindergart­en, grade-school, and teenage years as they both excelled in academics and athletics. While her sons were away from home at school, swim lessons, camp, or sporting competitio­ns, her faithful, loyal canine companion Teide (named after her mother’s canine companion and a volcano on Tenerife, Canary Islands) simultaneo­usly entertaine­d and annoyed her.

Once her sons moved away, she made great use of her time by volunteeri­ng at the 30th Street Senior Center in 1984 where she remained a steadfast volunteer over 30 years of continuous service. Though she’s a cancer survivor and had her right knee replaced, she didn’t let any medical setback or any other health issue keep her from her commitment to volunteeri­ng at the center. She formed lasting friendship­s during her tenure at OnLok and enjoyed many festive events and many, many travel excursions with her friends to Yosemite National Park, Lake Tahoe, Reno (lots of times - $$), Hawaii, and Mexico. She was recognized many times as OnLok Volunteer of the Year and, in 2016, was presented with a Lifetime Honorary award. Her many years as a volunteer inspired both of her grandchild­ren to volunteer their time to the elderly and, most recently, to the youth enrolled at Salesian Boys and Girls Camp in the North Beach neighborho­od of San Francisco, California.

When not volunteeri­ng or traveling she enjoyed painting, collecting fine porcelain figurines, and dining out with her family on holidays and special occasions to Unión Española, Buca di Beppo, Savor on 24th Street, Stacks in Hayes Valley, The Cliff House, Toast Eatery, and other dining establishm­ents throughout San Francisco. She always enjoyed a Bloody Mary at brunch and a brandy or wine with dinner. Her guilty pleasures included telenovela­s in Spanish, soap operas in English, and catching up on the latest news in the monthly Spanish-language periodical “Vanidades”. She made her sons and family proud when she was sworn in as US Citizen on 4 June 1996.

Funeral services will be held at 10AM on 23 March 2023 at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma, CA.

In lieu of flowers, the Garcia family requests that donations “in memory of Bernardina J. Garcia” are directed to her favorite charities: OnLok Senior Health,(415) 292-8888, www.onlok.org; or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, (800) 805-5856, www.stjude.org; or Shrine of St. Jude Thaddeus of San Francisco, (415) 931-5919, www.stjude-shrine.org

 ?? ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United States