OFELIA (OPIE) GANDARA GARCIA
A steadfast believer and follower of Jesus Christ, longtime San Bernardino and Rialto resident, our beautiful mother, Ofelia (Opie) Garcia, age 97, passed away peacefully on March 25, 2022, surrounded by love.
Our mother was born on March 27, 1924, in Los Angeles, CA to Tiofilo and Agustina Soto Gandara. She grew up in the area formerly known as Etiwanda and settled in San Bernardino. She attended local schools including San Bernardino High School. Opie met her husband, Damian (Danny) Garcia in San Bernardino and was married for almost 50 years.
She attended Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church; then became a member of the Spanish Nazarene Church in San Bernardino. She worked as a machinist helper with the Santa Fe Railroad and worked in various retail establishments. However, her most important job was raising her five children. She taught life experiences and taught Bible stories through the Ministry of Child Evangelism. She was an excellent storyteller and she loved to garden.
She is survived by her daughters, Ofelia (Ken) Lund, Dolores Delgado, Susan (Danny) Stricklin, and her son Gregory (Maria) Garcia. She is survived by her grandchildren, Suzan (Vincent) Zannelli, Robert (Jeniffer) Lund, April Salas, Samantha (Joseph) Lopez, Damian J. (Parnaz) Garcia, Antonio, Heleena, Marina, Diane and Karizma Garcia; and ten great-grandchildren, three sisters-in-law, two brothers-inlaw, and many nieces and nephews.
Opie was preceded in death by her husband, Damian E. Garcia in 1995, her son, Damian Garcia in 1980, and her brother, Pedro Hernandez in 2020.
We are thankful to Dr. Jean-Claud Hage who took care of mom for many years, always treated her kindly, and made her laugh. We are grateful to Journey Hospice, Director Shey who fulfilled our requests, and to the compassionate nurses and caregivers, Emily, Linda, and Mark.
A celebration of life will be held at Montecito Memorial Park and Mortuary, Valley View Chapel, 3520 E. Washington, St., Colton, CA 92324 on May 20, 2022, at 1:00 p.m.