Rafaela A. Garcia

Rafaela Garcia (1927 - 2025)
After a long life filled with love, courage, hard work, and laughter, Rafaela Garcia, of Queens, New York, passed away on October 27, 2025 at the age of 98 from natural causes.
Her life began in "El Cibao," which is the "bread basket" of the Dominican Republic. As one of ten children born to a saddle maker, Jose de Jesus Garcia, and seamstress, Victoria Rosario, Rafaela led as normal a life as any. She did chores, went to school, and went to church as expected. She loved her parents and siblings and enjoyed her pet goat, but her favorite activity was to follow her dad around as he conducted business-frequently while traveling by horseback. She cherished her life as it was, but, sadly, she and her siblings (Alicia, Angelica, Celeste, Josefa, Julian, Manolo and Pedro) would lose their father to appendicitis, forcing all of them to take on more responsibility and contribute to the household. For Rafaela, this meant working in her grandmother's garment factory. Years later, that experience proved essential to her survival.
It was a cold, but sunny, winter day in 1956 when Rafaela walked down a long flight of stairs from the plane to the tarmac at Idlewild airport. She felt a chill, which was understandable since she had just arrived from a tropical island and didn't have a coat. That's what greeted Rafaela and her children, Jose and Maritza, upon landing in New York City to begin a new life in America. Thankfully, her siblings, who had already made the journey, were waiting at the airport to welcome them with warm coats and even warmer hugs!
Rafaela was a strong, independent woman–confident in her capacity to meet any challenge. Her priorities were clear: get a job, get her own place, and get her kids into school.
Three days after landing in Idlewild, she began to apply the sewing machine skills she mastered back home by working in the NYC garment district. Before long, Rafaela had her own apartment, remarried, and had two more children–Hector and Clara.
In the next four-plus decades, three of Rafaela's children would complete their education, get work, and start families. This was what brought her the most satisfaction: seeing her children thrive–even if that just meant they were healthy and happy.
She was a fierce advocate for her family, but gladly helped anyone who needed it. She volunteered in her church and devoted her life to caring for others–including Clara, who never left her side, and her own mom, Victoria, until she died at 96.
Determined, confident, smart, funny, witty–all defined this pioneer who rode horses, and could crochet, knit, sew, needlepoint and spin like a top on the dance floor.
Rafaela was preceded in death by her nine siblings: Alicia, Angelica, Celeste, Josefa, Julian, Manolo, Pedro, and two who died in childbirth; and is survived by her children Jose, Maritza, Hector Jr., and Clara; her grandchildren Jennifer, Desi, Erica, and Leina; and her great grandchildren Zariah, Kai, and Elijah.
Let's celebrate her life by recalling the moments she touched our lives, and smile.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in the name of the Garcia/Rosario family to any Alzheimer's research organization of your choice.
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