Rachael Garcia

Rachael Garcia, 91, of Lakewood, Colorado passed away peacefully on November 1, 2025.

Rachael was born on May 27, 1934 to Charles and Margaret Martinez in Fort Collins, Colorado. She graduated from Fort Collins High School in 1952 where she was involved in many extracurricular activities including the Girls Athletic Association, Booster Club, Senior Class Council, Spanish Club, Junior Red Cross, Square Dancing Club, and more. She left Fort Collins in 1954 and moved to Denver where she met her husband Frank “Sonny” Garcia in 1957. They were married on July 12, 1958 and started their family, first residing in Denver and later in Lakewood, Colorado. During her life Rachael had many jobs, working for a laundromat, a McDonald’s bun factory, and a pickle factory (later in life she would laugh at how she and her sister-in-law always smelled like pickles). After all of those endeavors, she found permanent work as a seamstress for Sealy Mattress. She was a proud union member for a local steelworkers union and retired from Sealy after 28 years at age 61 1/2.

She is survived by her three daughters Sonita Rae Garcia, Karla (Tony) Garcia, and Dawn (Dan) Graige; grandchildren Dominic (Laura) Garcia, Stefan (Lindsay) Garcia, and Sydney (Thomas) Lipitz; great grandchildren Mia Garcia and Arthur Garcia; and lifelong best friend Millie (Don) Sanchez. She is also survived by her many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law (who were always there to lend a helping hand or provide a sympathetic ear) and her many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by Frank “Sonny” Garcia (husband of 64 years), Charles and Margaret Martinez (parents), Tom Martinez (brother), Frances Gutierrez (sister), Charlotte Lopez (sister), Dick Martinez (brother), Mary Vera (sister), and Chris Martinez (brother).

A devoted wife, caring mother, doting grandmother, and kind soul, Rachael was truly loved by all. In her younger days, she enjoyed going out and dancing with her husband. She also enjoyed going on many camping and fishing trips in their RV with family and friends. Her Sundays in the fall were always dedicated to watching or attending Bronco games. She loved her yearly pilgrimage to Sante Fe to visit the Santuario and partake in shopping for local Southwestern art. She was an excellent cook and delighted in feeding her family and friends with delicious Mexican food.

Above all else Rachael loved being a grandma. She loved spoiling and being around her grandchildren. In fact, she loved being a grandma so much that she even instructed new friends to call her “grandma” and not by her name.

Rachael brought warmth and joy to everyone she encountered. She will be greatly missed, but her family and friends know that she is dancing in heaven with Sonny once again.

Rosary will be recited Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at 6pm, Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 3101 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood. Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, November 20, 2025 at 10:30am, Christ on the Mountain Catholic Church, 13922 W. Utah Avenue, Lakewood. Committal will follow at 2pm that same day, Fort Logan National Cemetery.