Colleen Elizabeth Garcia's Obituary
Colleen Garcia, 48, was brought into this world on May 17, 1972 and went to be with her heavenly Father on November 23, 2020. Colleen was diagnosed with cancer in 2016 and was told that she only had a short time left to live, however, she chose to be a fighter with God as her warrior. Together, with her family and friends, she fought the war fiercely and won many battles. Throughout her fight, she continued to choose to be joyful and thankful for the life that she had and focused on the plan that God had for her.
Colleen loved the people in her life immensely and in such a way that each one of them knew without a doubt that they were loved. She never missed a moment to tell those around her “I love you” and you could feel that love from deep in her soul. Colleen is survived by her best friend and loving husband, Imar, her Daddy, Pete Stanley, her children Alyssa and Dillon, her stepchildren, one grandchild, numerous family members and many friends who were all blessed to have been a part of her life. She joins her mom, Patricia, her brother Phillip and other family and friends in heaven.
Colleen was passionate about living her life fully and with extreme happiness. There was never a challenge she wouldn’t accept, a competition she didn’t win and a dare she wouldn’t take. She never had a camera far so that she could capture the memories she made with the people she loved (and for that, we are all so blessed, because her memory will always live on). And if she met you, she loved you. No one was a stranger to Colleen. She embraced meeting new people and within 5 minutes, you would feel like you had known her a lifetime and that you were one of her closest friends. Colleen was selfless in her love for others, she always put their needs and care before her own and had the most forgiving and compassionate heart.
Being in Colleen’s presence meant you were going to laugh so hard your cheeks would hurt and tears would fall. She had an uncanny ability to make life more meaningful with the stories and jokes she would tell. Colleen was happiest when she was surrounded by friends and family. Anywhere she was, she could fill the moments of silence with great humor. She could lift anyone’s spirits and bring light and laughter to anyone in her presence. Colleen had a smile that could light up a room; people would gravitate to her without even knowing they were doing it. Even when she was coming to the end of her fight, and could barely speak, she could put a smile on anyone’s face with her silly facial expressions and the roll of her eyes.
Colleen spent her life addicted to sweets (especially peaches…just kidding!), obsessed with lip gloss, maintaining her beautiful blond locks and creating amazing, unique meals. She loved to host her family and friends and could turn any house into a home with her love, light, warmth and amazing decorating skills. Colleen was compassionate, had a heart filled with good intentions and was incredibly generous. Any gift she gave, she did so with deep meaning and love. For those in her life, everyone knew that she was the gift we cherished.
At heart, Colleen was a true county girl who grew up making mud pies and playing with bugs at the deer lease. She loved her truck, driving down the highway with the music up loud and the windows rolled down. You could usually find her in her rebel flag cowgirl boots and jeans surrounded by all the dogs and her dad’s pet rooster. She loved spending time at the ranch, shooting guns, sitting around a campfire,
and ending the day watching God’s amazing sunsets. The first weekend of November every year, you would find her in a deer stand watching and waiting for that big buck. Colleen got her passion for hunting from her dad and shared that passion with her husband. With that passion came a deep respect for all of God’s creations.
Colleen would tell anyone around her how blessed she was to have lived the life she did. She knew her blessings came from God and she loved her Lord and Savior unquestionably. She strived to know Him more and more every day and to live her life honoring Him. Can you imagine the joy she is filled with now that she is at the right-hand side of her Father? Colleen did not want this time to be a sad occasion, but a time to celebrate her life, her reunion with her loved ones and standing in the presence of the Lord.
“I love y’all dearly, but don’t shed a tear, I’m spending Christmas with Jesus this year.”
Love y’all - Colleen
In honor of Colleen, a celebration of her life will be held this Saturday, December 5, 2020 at The Memorial Chapel at Restland Funeral Home, 13005 Greenville Avenue at Restland Road, Dallas, TX 75243. Visitation is from 9:00 to 10:00 AM with the service and funeral beginning immediately after.
What’s your fondest memory of Colleen?
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