Rosa Maria Garcia, PhD, 91, formerly of Ella Grasso Gardens Ballou Street in Putnam, died peacefully in Haven Health Care Center in Danielson on Sunday September 24, 2006. Born in Havana, Cuba she was the daughter of the late Enrique and Rosa (Suarez) Garcia.
Dr. Garcia was a 1949 graduate from the University of Havana where she earned her dual doctorate degrees in Philosophy/Humanities and in Geography/History. She worked as a University professor in Havana until her political activism drove her to leave her beloved island when Castro’s communist regime came into power. She immigrated to the United States as a political refugee and came to Putnam in 1963. Rosa, as she was known to all, was a Spanish professor and Chairperson of the Modern Language Department at Annhurst College in Woodstock until her retirement in 1980. She remained actively involved in teaching at St. Mary School in Putnam until 1996 and was honored for having dedicated 50 years of her life to teaching. In addition to teaching, Dr. Garcia dedicated much time to giving conferences and lectures about her political experiences to local groups such as the Lions and Rotary International. While at Haven Health Care she regularly visited local schools to enhance the Spanish programs.
She is survived by a loving son, Francisco Sanchez and his wife Tina of Felton, Delaware and a grand-daughter Vanesa Sanchez of Easton, PA. ”
Relatives and friends are invited to visit and pray with Rosa’s family Wednesday, September 27, 2006 from 9:30 to 10:30am in the Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church Street, Putnam with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, 218 Providence St., Putnam. Rosa will be laid to rest in St. Mary Cemetery in Putnam. Memorial donations may be made to the Daughters of the Holy Spirit Retirement Fund, 72 Church Street in Putnam.
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