Loretta Garcia

“So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”  I Corinthians 13:13

Loretta Kaye Garcia devoted her life to faith, hope, and love.  From a young age, her faith in God began to shape her life and would guide her until the day she graduated to Heaven.

Born to Edith and Robert Arment, she was the second of seven children. When her father died at an early age, she helped her mother with her siblings. She began attending church as a teen and met her husband, Bert Haines, when he drove the church bus.

Loretta’s quiet faith blossomed when a neighbor asked her if she would like to help with a local food bank in Commerce City. She said yes and thus began 39 years of service to FISH of Commerce City.  As president, Loretta sought donations and grants to provide meals for countless people. She also served the Alsup Elementary School children by setting out breakfasts for them each morning and volunteering as the Partners in Education school treasurer. She raised money for new playground equipment and a rock climbing wall in the gym, for which she donated her own money. She served the school for 25 years, many of them alongside her second husband, Santos Garcia. Thankful for her service, the school principal nominated her for the Channel 7 Everyday Hero award, which she received in August 2015. She also taught Sunday school to the children and sang hymns while Santos played the guitar.

When she wasn’t serving others, Loretta delighted in the beauty of nature. She planted majestic flowers in her garden – iris, lupine, columbine, tulips, allium, and roses. She loved the sky, its bountiful clouds, and evenings filled with twinkling stars.  Elvis Presley music played regularly at home and brought a smile to her face while she sang and tapped along with his songs.

“A life well lived is measured by those moments when you give more than you think you can give.” – anonymous

Loretta gave her heart and soul to her family and friends. She had four children with Bert – Pam, Bob (Deborah), Rick (Deborah), and Randy (Brenda), along with her five grandchildren, Amanda, John, Cameron, Melissa, and Connor. Five great grandchildren enriched her clan -- James, Jaxson, Roxann, Reagan, and Greyson. Her family grew with Santos’ children – Santos, Berta, Billie, Tracy, Lisa, and Jody, along with abundant grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is survived by her siblings Barbara (Neal), Bernece, Pat (Alice), Ted (Linda) and numerous extended family and friends and her cherished dog, Maddie.  She was preceded in death by her husband Santos, sisters Dorothy and Marilyn; stepson Ted; her parents Robert and Edith; and her granddaughter, April.

Mom, your love shaped our lives.

Your faith changed the lives of others.

You live on in our hearts forever.

November 24, 1940 - October 15, 2022

Please leave any comments, stories, and memories you have about Loretta here so her family and friends can enjoy them.

Loretta’s Celebration of Life service will be held at 1 pm on Saturday, November 19 at the University Church of Christ, 2000 S. Milwaukee St Denver, CO 80210.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to FISH of Commerce City, C/O Our Saviour Lutheran Church, 6770 Monaco Street, Commerce City, CO 80022.

Below is the video clip of Loretta receiving the Channel 7 Everyday Hero Award: