Josephine “Jo” Garcia

Mass of Christian Burial for Josephine “Jo” Garcia, 86, Lawrence will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, November 3, 2023, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. Jo passed away on Friday, October 27, 2023, at her home.

Jo was born on September 25, 1937, in Wellsville, KS, the daughter of Adrian and Isabel (Lopez) Espinosa and spent her youth in Ottawa, KS.  She later moved to Kansas City and worked at Peck’s Department Store in downtown Kansas City, MO.

In January 1957, Jo married Bob Garcia in Lawrence, KS in a small courthouse ceremony.  They first met when she was 10 years old, and he was 13.

Jo worked at Hallmark Cards as a Machine Operator for 32 years.  After retirement, she worked part-time for ten years for USD 497 as a custodian and cafeteria assistant.

Jo enjoyed spending time with family and her granddaughters, buying flowers in the springtime, and dancing.  Jo also loved to travel and went on several cruises to Alaska, Mexico, and the Bahamas, but her favorite place to visit was Las Vegas.  Jo had a distinctive laugh; one that could be heard across a crowded room.  Jo was always present in all of her children and grandchildren’s school and sporting events, as well milestone events in their lives.  She never missed a chance to celebrate, including hosting and attending parties.

Survivors include her husband, Bob Garcia, of the home; children, Alan (Yvonne) Garcia, Vincent (Christie) Garcia, and Lisa Garcia, siblings, Juanita Cardiff, Angie Ortiz, Caroline Gomez, and Clara Espinosa; granddaughters, Allison (Chris) Massengill, Madison Garcia, Jessica (Eric) Smith, Marisa Garcia (Brandon Holland), and Jackie Garcia, granddaughter Lindsay (Bob) Adduddel; great-grandson, Quinton Smith; three great-grandchildren; Kaleb Garcia, Emily Adduddel, Jack Adduddel.  She was looking forward to the birth of a new great-grandchild next year.

Jo was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Phillip Espinosa, Betty Ybarra, Virginia Aspegren, Ethel Garcia, Carmen Hernandez, Pauline Zendejas, Mary Gutierrez, and grandson, Keith Garcia.

The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the Oncology Department at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, including Doctors Matthew Stein and Jodi Palmer, for their care and expertise throughout the years.

A rosary will be recited at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 2, 2023, at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence, with a visitation to follow until 8:00 pm.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the American Cancer Society or Douglas County VNA and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13 ^th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.