STANTON - Maria “Gela” Garcia Villa, 61, of Stanton, passed away surrounded by her family at home. She was born on July 1, 1964, in Laguna de Guadalupe, San Felipe, Guanajuato, Mexico, to the late Juan Antonio Garcia and Antonieta Cazares Garcia.
Maria married Freddy Villa on Feb. 10, 1986, in Stanton, and together they built a life centered on family, faith, and service to others. She dedicated herself unconditionally to caring for her children, extended family, and anyone in need, finding deep fulfillment in being a caregiver and a faithful woman.
In her free time, Maria enjoyed gardening, collecting hummingbird figurines, cooking her many beloved recipes, rescuing stray kittens, going to bingo, and visiting the casino. She was also a great storyteller and brought laughter and warmth to everyone around her.
She is preceded in death by her father Juan Antonio Garcia, and her brother Salvador Garcia.
She leaves behind her mother Antonieta Garcia; her loving husband of 40 years Freddy Villa; her four sisters— Janie Yañez, Ramona Fernandez, Rosa Garcia, and Irma Villa; her two brothers Jessie Garcia and Juan Antonio Garcia; her sons Freddy Villa Jr. and Fernando Villa; her daughter Genesis Villa; and her seven grandchildren.
A rosary will be recited on May 24, at 7 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 405 N. Convent St., Stanton. A Memorial Mass will be May 25, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements are in the care of Stanton Memorial Funeral Home & Chapel. Online condolences can be made at stantonfh.com.