Yvette Denise Garcia

Yvette Denise Garcia passed forward on March 27, 2022 at home in Murray, Utah from breast cancer. She came into and left this world pure in spirit.

Yvette was born on December 3, 1960, to Antonio 'Tony' Alcario ‘Carl’ Garcia and Norita Mary Taylor in Salt Lake City, Utah. She endured a difficult birth but it did not deter her from her mission here on earth, which was to remind us how to love with the innocence of a child.

Yvette grew up in the Salt Lake City area with her mother, father and brother Geno. For a time, she attended a special school, but largely resided at the family home in Magna until her mother became ill and unable to care for her needs. At that time, Yvette was able to move into a group home where she could live, make friends and thrive under the constant loving care of angels.

Yvette lived for fun. She loved her annual pass to Lagoon and attending the Utah State Fair. No one could hold a candle to her on the 4th of July. She especially loved to ride her bicycle in the Magna 4th of July Parade. One year, she pedaled so fast she was first to cross the ‘end parade route’ line. Adults were frantically running to meet her since she left her parade buddy in the dust.

Yvette was both competitive and a gifted athlete. She skied, biked and swam. She competed in the Special Olympics and ran out of shelf space to display her many medals. One of her favorite hobby sports was bowling. She owned her own bowling ball, which looked like blue and pink cotton candy as it rolled down the lane, and her own pair of bowling shoes, which sparkled, like her. She particularly loved bowling with her family while eating french fries and pizza and drinking Diet Dr. Pepper. She got a strike when she last bowled just weeks ago.

Yvette worked at the Columbus Center in Salt Lake City, Utah for many years where she enjoyed mothering her peers/coworkers and earning a paycheck.

She attended ‘Special Mutual’ where she danced, ate and made friends. She dearly loved her many friends.

Yvette was loud and proud and gave lots of hugs; lots of long hugs. She loved her red hair. It was beautiful, very thick and long like her paternal grandma Lugarda. She played the piano. She was sassy and brassy and perfect.

She felt blessed to be treated at Huntsman Cancer Institute during her many hospital stays. She remarked more than once that she loved being able to get a milkshake or a piece of carrot cake there whenever she wanted.

Yvette loved her family, caregivers and neighbors and was very attached to her best friend Kelvin Erickson. She was spoiled by many aunts and uncles and enjoyed receiving calls and visits from them.

Yvette was care-free, positive, and full of wonder. She loved Christmas. Whether belting out a holiday tune or opening presents, Yvette made those around her smile and believe – if just for a moment – that everything was beautiful and clear and good.

We’ll miss you, Sis.

Yvette was preceded in death by her father in 1993 and mother in 2013 and by her grandparents and brother Andrew, who died at birth. She is survived by her brother Geno Garcia (Patricia Isom) and myriad family members, caregivers and friends.

Special thanks to caregivers Peggy, Emily and Cassandra at the group home, and neighbor Lynda Erickson and family for your love, time and devotion to Yvette and her happiness.

A viewing will be held on Friday, April 1, 2022 from 12:00 noon - 2:00 PM at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South) in Sandy, Utah. A celebration of her life will follow from 2:00 - 3:00 PM, after which interment service will take place in Larkin Sunset Gardens, the Garden of Everlasting Life.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Special Olympics.