Bernice Mestas Garcia, 90

Bernice Mestas Garcia passed away at the Hospice House in Coeur d'Alene on Jan. 8, 2012. She was born March 15, 1921, in Trinidad, Colo., to Sarah Duran and Jesus Mestas.

She later married Ernest Garcia with whom she enjoyed playing guitar and singing. They had six children together in years to come and raised them in the Silver Valley of North Idaho.

Bernice devoted her life to her children. She was the Grand Mother of the Garcia family. It didn't matter who lived where or how they chose to view the world. In her rank as the guiding force behind the mothers and fathers of another generation she was still the one who every member of the family answered to at one time or another.

She set the tone for the Garcias by instilling a sense of loyalty and comradory among siblings and cousins alike. She put the fear of God into every one of her family regardless of how young they were. Her humor was timely and the laughter of her children and grandchildren often filled her home, or the home of one of her children with whom she was living.

Bernice made her presence known with her perfect makeup and her hair pin curled to perfection and her clothes ironed and coordinated. She may not have been going anywhere but her kitchen but she looked polished and beautiful every day. Her day revolved around her children.

Bernice Garcia isn't only a mother or a grandparent. Bernice Garica is the Grand Mother of three generations who will pass down her legacy of family, loyalty, love of good food, and music and yes, even the fear of God. She was and is the glue, the foundation and the interior design of those she leaves behind after a long and healthy life.

Bernice was preceeded in death by her husband, Ernest Garcia and her daughter, Gloria Garcia.

Survivors include her oldest son, Cruz Ernest Garcia (Denise), Raymond Jesus Garcia (Michelle), Jim Garcia, Judith Elizabeth Garcia Schilling (Steve) and Daniel Garcia (Teresa); 17 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Although no services will be held, she will be cherished by all who remember her.