Dulce Maria Valdes GARCIA

GARCIA, Dulce Mar¡a Vald‚s "la Reina de La Loma," passed to her eternal home December 26, 2011, to join her husband, Juan Garc¡a; brothers, Angel and Frank; sister, Palmira; and her parents, Dionisio Vald‚s and Mar¡a Tora¤o. Mary was born September 12, 1918, in West Tampa and was incredibly proud of her Spanish heritage. She was a lifelong member of the Centro Espa¤ol de Tampa and was the first woman elected to its Board of Directors, where she served for over 25 years. She was also an active and cherished member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Ladies Guild. Mary taught her children and grand-children about hard work and dedication to family. She will be greatly missed by her children, Cynthia and husband, Jorge Tamargo, and Shirley and husband, Max Risler; and beloved grandchildren, Jessica and husband, Jeff Rogers, Natalie, JJ and Dennis Tamargo, Megan Risler and Patrick Fitzhugh; her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Sindo Garc¡a and Adalia Chrin; niece, Palmira Koenig; nephews, Larry Koenig and Steve Vald‚s; as well as her large extended family and friends in the United States, Spain and Argentina. The last years would have been unbearable without the love and care given by Carmen Cruz, the staff of Cameron Assisted Living Facility and Cruz and Sanz Home Health, to whom the family will be forever grateful. The family will receive friends 6-9 p.m., with a prayer service to begin at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, December 29, at the chapel of JGR Funeral Home, 6718 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Friday, December 30, at O.L.P.H. Catholic Church, 1711 E. 11th Ave., with the Rev. Father Thomas Stokes, SM, Pastor, officiating. Interment will follow in the Old Centro Espanol Cemetery. Flowers are accepted or donations to OLPH Church or Salesian Sisters Retirement Fund are appreciated. Please send online condolences to www.jgrfuneralhome.com