Elizabeth S. Garcia

Our beloved mother, Elizabeth (Santoyo) Garcia, 80, of Kansas City, Kansas passed away on January 31, 2024. Visitation will be at 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 15 at Guardian Angels Catholic Church, 1310 Westport Road, Kansas City, Missouri.  The Rosary will be prayed at 7:30 p.m.   Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 16 at Guardian Angels Catholic Church, burial will follow in Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Kansas City, Kansas.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents: Jesse Santoyo, Carmen Goslin; her siblings: Juanita Santoyo, Carmen Quirarte, Betty Goslin, Maria Arredondo, Florence Morton, Jesse Santoyo, and Teddy Santoyo. She is survived by her companion, Joe Rodriquez; her sister, Ruth Hernandez; her children: Raul Anthony “Tony” Garcia (Tracy), Yolanda Castilleja (Tim), and Steven Garcia (Annamarie); her beloved grandchildren: Zachery Castilleja (Jenna), Allyssa Woods (Evan), Elias Castilleja, Jordan Garcia, Andrew Garcia, Noah Garcia; her three great granddaughters, and many nieces, nephews and extended family.

Elizabeth met her first husband Raul Garcia in Kansas City, Missouri. They married in 1966 and raised three children together. Although life took them on different paths, she was grateful for the beautiful children they created. In her final years Elizabeth found great happiness alongside her true friend and companion, Joe Rodriquez, which she described as the most fortunate last 10 years of her life.

It is said that on a person’s tombstone it is not the birth date or the date of death that is most important but the dash in between that really matters and makes the difference. Elizabeth grew up in Kansas City, Kansas alongside her sisters. Although coming from very meager means, she and her sisters felt privileged to attend Holy Name grade school. Later, as the fifth of six girls, she was the first of her siblings to graduate from North East High School in 1963. Some say, this is where her resolve and firmness of purpose began to show itself in her young life. Her childhood was not a lavish one, toys were scarce, but she and her sisters knew how to be creative and could turn just about anything into a toy. One of her favorite things to do was making mud pies and playing street ball with her sisters and cousins. If she did not have a bat, that did not stop them for they knew how to spot a good stick.

Although sometimes she was a woman of few words and short answers, her action spoke louder than words. Because she didn’t mince her words and was not pretentious, she could easily be misunderstood. She was one that could be considered as present for she loved attending family gatherings, and important events.

Elizabeth overcame so much adversity throughout her life that proved her determination and tenacity for living. She lived life to the fullest and pushed past the obstacles that seemed to weigh her down. As a child learning to make mud pies and using sticks for baseball when poverty deprived them from trinkets to play with, she and her sisters made the best of it. Tragedy struck the family while still young: they lost a baby sister and both baby brothers. Later, living the aftermath of their parents’ divorce and the many turmoils that came as a result, it felt like they got the wind knocked out of them. But when the dust settled, Elizabeth chose to stay standing. Even as a teenager, school seemed overwhelming and even impossible, but she persevered to graduate even though it would take her two years longer.

As an adult, the storms of life took away what she wanted most in her little family unit, and she found herself alone. Again, she chose to rediscover another life, another way, then settled into it nicely. Having little resources and because she chose to live within her means, this made her frugal and wise so her family was not in constant need. She worked and sacrificed a lot to send her children to Catholic schools for as long as she could, even working two jobs. Elizabeth lost her precious mom a few years ago, and then one sister after another until she had only one left. She chose to spend her precious time with Ruth, joking, laughing and taking each other in. The heart aches and struggles throughout her life could have easily, and understandably, cause anger, depression and bitterness, but she chose to leave that all behind and not let it overwhelm her. Further in her life, heart surgery, hip surgery and other challenges proved to make her later years difficult to manage. Even through this, she chose to push past the physical pain and to live resolutely as always.

Elizabeth Garcia will forever be remembered as a loving and devoted mother and grandmother. Those who knew her in her later years described her unwavering love for her family.

Elizabeth was a skilled seamstress, a skill she would later use to bless her children and many others. She loved Mexican music, dancing, casinos and shopping, being actively involved in the Guadalupe Senior community, and enjoying a lot of this with her beloved Joe. She also engaged in helping the less fortunate and taking her nieces and nephews on many outings, until her retirement from Knit-Rite. Most of all, spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren is what gave her zest for life!

Her memory will continue to resonate with all those who had the privilege of knowing her. May her soul rest in eternal peace in Jesus Christ her Lord and Savior.