Obituary for Elizabeth Garcia (Dandeneau)
Elizabeth A. Garcia, a resident of Eastchester, New York, since 1958, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 21, 2022. She was 90 years old.
Beth was born on June 19, 1931, in Port Arthur, Thunder Bay District, Ontario, Canada, to Leonard and Victorine (Rooney) Dandeneau. Beth graduated from the Loretto Abbey, a Catholic secondary school in Toronto and went on to graduate from The University of St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto. Shortly after graduation, Beth established her career as a flight attendant for American Airlines, based out of Dallas, Texas, where she met her future husband, Louis. The couple were married at The Newman Chapel, on the grounds of the University of Toronto, on June 12, 1954. Beth became a naturalized United States citizen in Ithaca, New York, in 1957.
Beth’s dedication to her family was evident in so many ways but especially her desire to instill a love of music in her children. Whether it was a trip to the Metropolitan Opera, the New York Philharmonic symphony, a high school band concert, or a living room duet, music was an integral part of her persona. An accomplished piano teacher, Beth was a master of Chopin waltzes playing from memory into her late 80’s. She played the instrument with the same grace and elegance that defined her personality. She brought the instrument to life… and the indelible melodic sounds will forever resonate in our hearts.
Beth’s long-standing dream was to own a cottage, similar to the summer cottage her family owned when she was child. Once her youngest child was in school, she enrolled in the local college to pursue new skills eventually achieving executive secretary status at PepsiCo in Purchase, New York. Her hard work and frugality resulted in the purchase of a family cottage in Lake George, New York, in 1979. For more than 40 years, Lake George became a focal point of cherished family vacations which continue to this day.
Throughout her life, Beth volunteered in support of many organizations. Whether it was making curtains for the convent at Immaculate Conception, or serving lunch at the schools, she always gave unselfishly of her time and talents. She held leadership positions with both the Catholic and Bronxville Women’s Clubs, advancing their philanthropic and civic pursuits. She devoted her time and energy to the board of the Homeowner’s Association and countless other notable volunteer positions. Beth’s diligence, grace, and friendly demeanor served her well her entire life. Always humble, her inner strength and drive were inspiring to those around her.
Beloved and dedicated wife of the late Louis R. Garcia (1997), Beth was predeceased by: two sisters, Meg (2014) and Milda (2018), brother Paul (2003), and daughter-in-law Rachel (1998). A devoted and loving mother and grandmother, Beth is survived by 4 children: Anne (Stephen), Michael (Julie), Steven, and John (Cheryl), and 7 grandchildren: Elizabeth (Andy), Michael, Emily (Derek), Katie (Marquis), Timothy, Thomas, and Natalie.
The family will receive friends from 4:00 until 8:00 pm on Thursday, May 26, 2022, at Westchester Funeral Home, 190 Main Street, Eastchester, New York, 10709. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, May 27, 2022, at Immaculate Conception Church, 53 Winter Hill Road, Tuckahoe, New York, 10707. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 10 West Stevens Street, Hawthorne, New York, 10532. In lieu of flowers, donations made to the Lustgarten Foundation in support of pancreatic cancer research would be greatly welcomed. https://lustgarten.org/
A special thanks to the loving care givers at The Enclave at Rye, Portchester, New York, and especially The Fountains at RiverVue, Tuckahoe, New York, where Beth called home since 2019.
Beth was born on June 19, 1931, in Port Arthur, Thunder Bay District, Ontario, Canada, to Leonard and Victorine (Rooney) Dandeneau. Beth graduated from the Loretto Abbey, a Catholic secondary school in Toronto and went on to graduate from The University of St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto. Shortly after graduation, Beth established her career as a flight attendant for American Airlines, based out of Dallas, Texas, where she met her future husband, Louis. The couple were married at The Newman Chapel, on the grounds of the University of Toronto, on June 12, 1954. Beth became a naturalized United States citizen in Ithaca, New York, in 1957.
Beth’s dedication to her family was evident in so many ways but especially her desire to instill a love of music in her children. Whether it was a trip to the Metropolitan Opera, the New York Philharmonic symphony, a high school band concert, or a living room duet, music was an integral part of her persona. An accomplished piano teacher, Beth was a master of Chopin waltzes playing from memory into her late 80’s. She played the instrument with the same grace and elegance that defined her personality. She brought the instrument to life… and the indelible melodic sounds will forever resonate in our hearts.
Beth’s long-standing dream was to own a cottage, similar to the summer cottage her family owned when she was child. Once her youngest child was in school, she enrolled in the local college to pursue new skills eventually achieving executive secretary status at PepsiCo in Purchase, New York. Her hard work and frugality resulted in the purchase of a family cottage in Lake George, New York, in 1979. For more than 40 years, Lake George became a focal point of cherished family vacations which continue to this day.
Throughout her life, Beth volunteered in support of many organizations. Whether it was making curtains for the convent at Immaculate Conception, or serving lunch at the schools, she always gave unselfishly of her time and talents. She held leadership positions with both the Catholic and Bronxville Women’s Clubs, advancing their philanthropic and civic pursuits. She devoted her time and energy to the board of the Homeowner’s Association and countless other notable volunteer positions. Beth’s diligence, grace, and friendly demeanor served her well her entire life. Always humble, her inner strength and drive were inspiring to those around her.
Beloved and dedicated wife of the late Louis R. Garcia (1997), Beth was predeceased by: two sisters, Meg (2014) and Milda (2018), brother Paul (2003), and daughter-in-law Rachel (1998). A devoted and loving mother and grandmother, Beth is survived by 4 children: Anne (Stephen), Michael (Julie), Steven, and John (Cheryl), and 7 grandchildren: Elizabeth (Andy), Michael, Emily (Derek), Katie (Marquis), Timothy, Thomas, and Natalie.
The family will receive friends from 4:00 until 8:00 pm on Thursday, May 26, 2022, at Westchester Funeral Home, 190 Main Street, Eastchester, New York, 10709. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, May 27, 2022, at Immaculate Conception Church, 53 Winter Hill Road, Tuckahoe, New York, 10707. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 10 West Stevens Street, Hawthorne, New York, 10532. In lieu of flowers, donations made to the Lustgarten Foundation in support of pancreatic cancer research would be greatly welcomed. https://lustgarten.org/
A special thanks to the loving care givers at The Enclave at Rye, Portchester, New York, and especially The Fountains at RiverVue, Tuckahoe, New York, where Beth called home since 2019.