Helen “Cookie” R. Garcia received her angel wings on July 26, 2022, at 80.
Helen was born to Daniel and Evelyn Jenkins on January 3, 1942, in Memphis, TN. She was given the nickname Cookie by my mother when she was a young girl, as she reminded her of a sweet baked chocolate chip cookie. As a child, she was a natural when it came to taking care of children, always playing with younger kids, as she loved to babysit.
Cookie moved to The Bronx, New York at the age of 1. Many years later she married her childhood friend (late) Lawrence E. Garcia Sr. They married on June 13, 1957, and went on to have 10 children, 28 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren! (To be listed at the end)
Cookie loved to crochet, especially blankets, and enjoyed arts and crafts of all kinds. Cookie made blankets for most of her family members and many friends. She also made numerous paintings that hung throughout the house. She spent much of her life caring for children. She was a caregiver for 40 years; before that, she worked for Mattel children’s toy company. She was a woman of many talents and was no stranger to hard work and overcoming adversity. She was known for her delicious red rice and chicken. Of all her accomplishments, she is most proud of her children and selflessly showered them with love until the end.
Survivors include her daughter Regina Pope and husband James, daughter Melody Rodriguez and husband Benjamin, daughter Nikki Dixson, son Daniel Garcia, son Russell Garcia and wife, Linda, son Reynolds Garcia & wife Belinda, son Lawrence E. Garcia Jr., son Reginald & Cynthia, daughter Charise Garcia, daughter Joy Garrett & husband Roland, brother Ralph Prater, cousin Bonnie Mcleary and niece Jocelyn Prater.
Cremation will take place privately.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Kaplan Family Hospice Residence, 1 Sunrise Lane, Newburgh, NY 12550.
Arrangements were made by Millspaugh Funeral Directors.