Verna Garcia

Verna Garcia 86, Tribal member of Zuni Pueblo and a resident of Ohkay Owingeh, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday April 12, 2024. Verna was preceded in death by her parents Henry and Frances Nastacio; Husband of 52 years Andrew Garcia Sr; Son’s Faron and Daron; grandchildren, Linda, Monique, Darron Joe, Nadine, and Jared; Brother’s Joe, Augustine, Benny, and Galbert; Sister’s Andrea, Carmelita (David), Ivora; Son-in-law Paul; In-laws David and Epifania Garcia; Martha and Joseph, Rose and Eloy, Timothy and Freddie.

Verna retired from the Santa Fe Indian school as an SLA after 33 years. She was known to many dormitory students as momma Verna and grandma from various tribes. Verna loved to travel with her husband’s dance group the Tewa dancers from the north and she was the seamstress who made the attire for the dancers. Verna loved to go to the casino, and she loved to spend time with her family and friends.

Verna is survived by her children, Aldric, Ants, Mike (Lori), ReyAnn (Woods), Tara, Dorea (George); grandchildren, Butterfly, Curt (Ruby), Darron(Tatiyana), Kayla (Ryan), Jahneah, Marisa, Melanie (Manuel), Asia, Jackie, Amber, Mike, and Arlo; great-grandchildren, Elmirah, Isaiah, Joaquin, Danielle, Jireh, Javen, Ian, Lajon, Brennan, Aliyah, DeeAnna, Aiyana, Zaylani, Yariah, Jasper, Avry, Jeremiah, and Malaya; 2 great-great grand-children; sister-in-law, Frances Namingha (Dan); and numerous nieces, nephews and friends whom she loved dearly. Verna’s special pet Peaches was the love of her life. A rosary will be recited on Sunday, April 14th at 7:00 p.m. at her residence at 119 Drum Place in Ohkay Owingeh. Mass will be celebrated on Monday, April 15th at 9:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church with a burial to follow at the Ohkay Owingeh Cemetery. Serving the family as pallbearers will be Butterfly, Curt, Darron, Arlo, Ryan, Jace, Tyrell, Bryce, Isaiah, Ira, and the Pueblo of Pojoaque War officers.