Elaine Mary (Sutton) Garcia was the first child of six born to Edward and Mildred (Kurtz) Sutton. She was born in Lead, South Dakota on April 27, 1941. She passed in Albuquerque on March 7, 2016 following complications from surgery.
Her parents eventually moved to a farm near Elkton, South Dakota where Elaine graduated from high school.
She attended college at South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD where she received her Bachelors of Science degree in Medical Technology.
After graduating, Elaine moved to Denver, Colorado working in the lab at Fitzsimons Army Hospital – she married Robert Fishman (deceased). They had two children, Cheryl born in 1967 and Gary born in 1969. Cheryl passed in 1973, the result of a car accident. Elaine met and married Gene (Banjo) Garcia in 1974.
He brought 2 children to the marriage whom they raised together: Lita born: 1966 and Simon born: 1967. Gene and Elaine had one son together: Justin born: 1977. Elaine continued working as a medical technologist ending her career as head of the laboratory department at the Gallup McKinley Rehoboth Hospital in 2007. She dedicated her life to help others in the medical field. She coordinated and setup many health fairs throughout her career.
In retirement Gene and Elaine relocated to Cimarron New Mexico to be near their children and their families. Her favorite pastimes were reading, watching her favorite football team “the Broncos”, holding her other children (poodles- Mimi and Comotu and cat- Pepper), and spending time with her grandchildren.
Elaine is survived by: her brothers, Jerome (Sandy) Sutton, Kettering, Ohio; Mark (Carol) Sutton Minneapolis, MN; Clair (Vickie) Sutton, Hot Springs, SD; her sister, Elizabeth (Dave) Persigehl, Minneapolis, MN; her husband, Gene (Banjo) Garcia; her daughter, Lita (Andrew) Sanchez, Cimarron, NM; her sons, Simon Garcia, Philippines; Gary (Krysta) Garcia, Englewood, CO; Justin Garcia, Cimarron, NM; 4 granddaughters; 3 grandsons; 8 great-granddaughters; and 1 great-grandson.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother Keith Sutton and her daughter Cheryl.
Elaine was gifted with a kind heart and a loving supportive family who will miss her deeply.
A memorial service will take place on Saturday March 12, 2016 at the Sister Hildegard Parish Hall in Cimarron at 2:00 pm followed my inurnment at the Mt. View cemetery.
Arrangements for Elaine Mary (Sutton) Garcia are under the direction of the Alderette Pomeroy Funeral Home of Raton.
