With profound sadness, we announce that Deborah Jeanne (Bower) Garcia (66 years old) passed away on Wednesday, January 29th, 2025 after several years of battling COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), Lupus, and stage four renal failure. She was a beloved wife, mother, sister, and friend, who left behind a legacy of compassion and connection that will always be cherished.

Debi was born on August 16th, 1958 in Los Angeles, California to the late David and Barbara (O’Bannon) Bower. Debi grew up in Norwalk, California and attended Anna M. Glazier School, Los Alisos Intermediate School, and graduated in 1976 from Norwalk High School. She received her A.A. degree at Cerritos College, and her Bachelor of Science degree in Health Education & Fitness with a minor in Business at Cal State University, Fullerton.

At Cerritos College, she was a member of her cheer team for two years and received Bronze, Silver, and Gold Falcon awards for her service in student government. At CSUF, she was ASB secretary and an active member of her Pep Squad, where she traveled with CSUF athletic teams to represent her school and cheer team all over the Western United States. She created many lifelong friendships with her sorority sisters in Delta Zeta, through which she developed a love for event planning and coordination.

Between the years of 1982-85, Debi was a manager at Jack Lalanne’s European Health Spa in Lakewood, CA. From 1985-88, she worked as a senior marketing representative for Dacon Electronics. From 1988-1990, she taught Physical Education at the junior high level for the Nazarene Christian School in Norwalk, CA, and coached the junior high girls basketball and volleyball teams. Her devotion to Christ as a mentor to young women was reflected in her time working as the Pioneer Club Director at SeaCoast Grace Church in Cerritos, CA (1995-97), and as a small group leader at Riverlakes Community Church (2002-2008). She worked as a Human Resources Personnel Assistant for North of the River Parks and Recreation in Bakersfield, CA (2006-2021).

For 38 years, she shared a beautiful life with her devoted husband, Hector Garcia. Their love was steadfast, resilient, and built on a deep commitment to faith and family. Her greatest joy and life’s true passion was her son, Cody Garcia, who she referred to as her “miracle child,” because he was born 4 months prematurely. She was an active member of the P.T.A groups at Landell Elementary, Rosedale Middle School, and Liberty High School during his years in school, and helped coordinate a Hurricane Katrina Relief effort through her church at Riverlakes.

A huge supporter of the performing arts, she loved to attend Cody’s theatre productions in Kern County at Stars Dinner Theatre and the Ovation Theatre. Her favorite roles of his included Sky Masterson in “Guys and Dolls", Buddy in “Elf: The Musical,” and most recently, Drosselmeyer in The Civic Dance Center’s production of The Nutcracker. A mother in every sense of the word, her unwavering support and boundless love defined the essence of who she was.

Debi is also survived by her dear sister, Jennifer (Bower) Collins, and her husband, Bill Collins, with whom she shared a lifetime of memories and a deep sibling bond. She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved brother, Mike, her sister-in-law, Jenny Bower, and her niece, Isabelle “Izzy” Wohlrab.

Debi had an extraordinary gift for making people feel loved. Her hobby was not in things, but in people—devoting herself to keeping in touch with those she cared for through calls, texts, and her ever-thoughtful Facebook comments. She had a way of making everyone feel seen, valued, and cherished, a rare and beautiful trait in this world.

Her absence leaves a void that cannot be filled, but the love she gave so freely will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. May her kindness, humor, and generosity inspire us to love a little deeper, reach out a little more often, and never take for granted the simple joy of staying connected.

A memorial and reception honoring her life will be held at Rose Hills Mortuary in Whittier, CA, February 19th, at 1pm. The family asks that you honor Debi’s spirit by reaching out to someone you love today. If it is in your heart to donate monetarily, you may reach out to the family by contacting Cody Garcia, at codydgarcia@gmail.com.

Rest in peace, Deborah. Your love remains eternal.

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