(Courtesy photo)
NEWS Staff Report
San Benito is reflecting on the passing of two community luminaries this week.
The San Benito education and volunteer communities are mourning the sudden loss of popular former teacher and ex-San Benito CISD Board Trustee, Mary Lou (M.L.) Garcia, age 70.
Garcia was found unresponsive in her home late Tuesday afternoon by San Benito Police Officers who were responding to a request for a welfare check after acquaintances failed to hear from Garcia for four days, according to police.
Garcia served two terms as a San Benito school board trustee after retiring from the SBCISD.
Garcia’s brother, S.R. Garcia preceded her in death and was an iconic figure and an equally beloved figure within the local law enforcement community. S.R., who retired as the San Benito CISD Chief of Police, and was a Viet Nam Veteran, was father to Jack Garcia, a former San Benito Mayor, who was also a longtime SBCISD employee and director of the District’s after school program.
M.L. Garcia retired as a social studies teacher at Miller Jordan Middle School where she also served as founder of the Peer Assistance and Leadership Students program, also known as PALS.
In more recent times, M.L. Garcia was known for her social activities and volunteerism. She was a member of the San Benito Rotary Club, a CASA volunteer, and an active San Benito High School alumnus, helping coordinate class reunions. On Oct. 15 of this year, she noted her 70th birthday on her Facebook page.
“Today we all lost a good friend. M.L. Garcia you will be missed,” wrote San Benito resident and school district employee Abel Fonseca II on Garcia’s Facebook page. “I am going to miss your stories during lunch and in the halls at Miller Jordan. I am going to miss eating pico with you at Pappasito’s. Thank you for being a good person to me and many others. Till we meet again, Rest in Peace.”
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