Delia "Dee" Marie Garcia

Delia "Dee" Marie Garcia went to be with the Lord on March 18, 2019 surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Maes, New Mexico on May 28, 1940, to Fernando and Josefita (Garduo) Aguilar. She is preceded in death by her parents listed above, and siblings Cora Chavez and Patricio Aguilar. She is survived by her husband of 54 years Charles Garcia; children Carla (Jorge Sieira) Garcia, Charles (Theresa) Garcia, and Chris Aguilar-Garcia; siblings Juan Aguilar, Ruby Aragon, Frances (Billy) Aragon, and Alex (Lucy) Aguilar; sister in-law Bertha Garcia; grandchildren Nicholas Gonzales, Adriana Gonzales, Aurelia Garcia, and Mia Garcia; nephews and nieces Anthony and Linda Garcia, Nyssa (Jake Trumble) Garcia, Oliver Trumble, and Erik (Bailey Turkal) Garcia, among numerous beloved nieces and nephews. Lifelong learner Dee graduated from Rocky Ford High School (1959), Otero Junior College (AA, ‘61), and the University of Northern Colorado (BA, ‘63, MA, ‘76). She completed the NDEA Institute for Secondary School Teachers of Spanish at the University of Southern California in 1964. She worked as a teacher and in numerous other capacities from 1964 until her retirement in 2001, beginning as a Spanish and business teacher at La Junta High School. Hired by John Vigil as a Bilingual Resource Teacher at McElwain and Thornton Elementaries in Adams 12 Five Star Schools, Dee contributed to the planning and development of the Bilingual Program alongside longtime friend Inez Catbagan before becoming Director of Bilingual Education. She taught 3rd grade at Thornton Elementary for multiple years before serving in a district-wide role as a Multicultural Education instructor in Staff Development. She taught numerous Conversational Spanish classes to district teachers and provided translation services for district administration. She returned to the classroom at Horizon High School, Thornton Middle School, and Wyco Elementary prior to her retirement in 2001. Outside of the classroom she was an active member of the National and Colorado Education Associations, and District 12 Educators' Association, fighting for the livelihoods of her fellow educators; and as an officer and member of the ADK sorority, an International Honorary Organization for Women Educators. For multiple years after her retirement, Delia worked alongside her husband Charles as a statewide testing administrator for the National Assessment of Educational Progress. Dee was a longtime member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Parish in Northglenn, teaching confirmation and catechism classes for many years, serving as a Eucharistic Minister, and upon her retirement, volunteering countless hours at the parish food bank alongside her husband and many friends. A woman of deep faith, she prayed the rosary daily. Throughout the years Dee spent many hours as an election and campaign volunteer and election judge, and was an active member of LULAC Council 3011. For 16 years she served as a participant in the Look AHEAD Type II Diabetes Study, making a valuable contribution to provide important information for future generations with Type II Diabetes. Following her first battle against breast cancer in 1991, Dee was featured in a 9NEWS public service announcement tied to the Race for the Cure, and later modelled in the 2013 9News Buddy Check9 calendar. She loved to read, shop, travel, and spend time with her pride and joys, her grandchildren. She remembered the birthdays of her nieces and nephews, sending birthday cards every year. A loving and generous woman who was quick to smile, Dee is remembered for instilling the importance of education in the hearts and minds of her family, friends, and students, inspiring many to enter the field of teaching. In a tribute to Dee, her great-niece Kareena Rae Romero shared, "Not only did you show us how to have strong faith and love, you also taught us the importance of education, the importance of being politically involved, how to fight against injustice and how to unapologetically take a stand." Dee always raised her voice for those who could not and fought to make her community and the world a more just and loving place. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her. In lieu of flowers, you are invited to make a contribution to the newly established Delia M. Garcia Memorial Scholarship Fund at the Horizons North Credit Union, 11455 Pearl Street, Northglenn CO, 80233. Cemetery Details Olinger Highland Cemetery 10201 Grant Street Thornton, CO 80229 Loading map Previous Events Viewing MAR 25. 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM (MT) Immaculate Heart of Mary 11385 Grant Drive Northglenn, CO 80233 Loading map Rosary MAR 25. 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM (MT) Immaculate Heart of Mary 11385 Grant Drive Northglenn, CO 80233 Loading map Mass of Christian Burial MAR 26. 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM (MT) Immaculate Heart of Mary 11385 Grant Drive Northglenn, CO 80233 Loading map