Mary Jo Garcia

1940 - 2021

Garcia, Mary Jo (M.J.) Mary Jo (M.J.) Garcia, 80, of San Clemente, passed away peacefully on January 25, 2021, of pneumonia and congestive heart failure after an 8 year battle with Parkinson's disease. M.J. was born on November 4, 1940, in Racine, Wisconsin. She was the only child of Martin and Mary Malinoski. M.J. graduated from Northwestern University in Illinois. She met her future husband, Dr. Ray Garcia while he was stationed in Great Lakes, Illinois with the U.S. Navy. Ray and M.J. moved to Southern California in the early 1960's and were married in Los Angeles in 1966. They had 2 children, Amy and Wes. Ray was an optometrist for Kaiser Permanente and MJ was a speech therapist. In 1977, they moved their family to San Clemente, CA. M.J. was predeceased by her husband, Dr. Ray Garcia, who passed away in 2011 of pancreatic cancer. They were married for 45 years. Mary Jo is survived by her daughter Amy Garcia-McIntyre, son-in-law Chad, her son Wes Garcia and daughter-in-law Jennifer, and grandchildren Sunshine and Ronald, as well as several cousins and countless friends who were like family to M.J.. Whether it was her role as a wife, mother, or friend, M.J. will be remembered for always giving 110% to everyone she loved. She was extraordinary. The love she gave will be her legacy. She will be greatly missed. There will be a mass for her at 11 AM on Feb. 28th at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in San Clemente. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Tazzy Fund Animal Rescue, 2833 North Frederick St., Burbank, CA 91504.