Obituary of Alice Pena Garcia

Pena Garcia, Alice Saginaw, Michigan Our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and dear friend passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 20, 2021 at Covenant HealthCare - Harrison, Saginaw. She was 61 years old and had remained faithful to her Lord through her life. Alice Pena was born on January 31, 1960 in Saginaw, Michigan to the late Gilberto Sr. and Mary (Ortiz) Pena. She married Leonardo "Lee" Garcia on August 31, 1996, and he preceded her in death on May 13, 2020. She graduated from STS Peter & Paul High School in 1978. Following high school she worked as a Master Barber for a few years. Alice attended Saginaw Valley State University where she earned her Bachelor's Degree in Social Work and Master's Degree in Educational Leadership. She worked as the Assistant Director of Minority Student Services at Saginaw Valley State University for many years. She was active in the Hispanic Heritage Month Committees, Sigma Lambda Gamma, Hispanic Student Association, & LULAC. She took great pride in being an advocate for students and assisting them in whatever way she could to help them reach their graduation goals. Alice was a former member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and was very active with The Woman's Club and various other ministries. She loved being a house wife and was dedicated to her family and grandchildren. Her home was a family hub for holidays and special occasions. Alice loved to spend time with her family and extended family and will be deeply missed by her sisters and brother: Linda Gonzales, Carmen (Nick) Zitko, Mary (Charles) Migliaccio, Margaret McGarrity and Gilbert Pena, Jr.; many nieces and nephews; aunt, Elizabeth "Eli" Pena; and many other extended family and friends. Alice devoted herself and had many cherished memories with the Garcia family including her children: Melissa (Dan) Vela, Marcel Garcia and Miranda (Patrick) Wilson; and grandsons: Anthony (Stephanie) Rocha, Daniel Vela Jr. and the love of her life, Angelo Vela. Alice was preceded in death by her parents; beloved husband, Leonardo Garcia; sister, Elizabeth "Liz" Pena; brother-in-law, Ben Gonzales. FUNERAL: A private memorial service was held at Deisler Funeral Home, 2233 Hemmeter Rd., (off State). Rev. Fr. Peter Gaspeny officiated with entombment at Oakwood Mausoleum. MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider a donation to¬ LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens-Scholarship Fund) or the American Cancer Society. Please share your thoughts and memories with the family through www.DeislerFuneralHome.com