Roberta Louise Garcia

Roberta “Berta” Louise Garcia passed away unexpectedly on October 25, 2024 at the age of 79 at the hospital while with family. Born in Kansas City, Kansas on June 21, 1945 to Torivio O. Garcia Sr. and Elvira (Rivera) Garcia, she lived the majority of her life within the Sacred Heart/Westside community at 28th & Madison. A home with a true open-door policy amongst friends and family alike. Her thoughtfulness and unconditional love for her family will be remembered by many as well as her strong will she instilled in the children she raised and babysat on Madison. 

Roberta was not only known for her dedication to her family as a child of 14, but also for her kind heart and care for her friends. “Love thy neighbor” wasn’t as much a saying, but how she lived life. She was straightforward and spoke from the heart, never holding back. The honesty and confidence that Roberta provided, albeit stern at times, created a place of comfort and safety for whomever she may have spent time with that day. Whether it was a few blocks away at her mom’s home with her brothers and sisters in the kitchen or spending hours with a friend who dropped in to check on her she always found the words that needed to be said. 

Roberta enjoyed dancing, listening to her Mexican music (particularly Antonio Aguilar) and singing along with every song. She enjoyed going shopping and loved her novelas and old movies. Roberta was also a huge Chiefs fan and her family will remember the back to back Super Bowls where she was right there at the tv and not on the couch cheering on the comebacks. As an even bigger WWF/WWE fan she made Fridays appointment viewing for Smackdown and when her grandchildren no longer lived in her house she would call and make sure they were watching. Berta usually started her morning with a prayer, but always said a word for her family and her loved ones before bed. 

 A longtime babysitter within her community she cared for many kids before they could enter school and loved doing so. She was dependable and the kind of person families trusted and could rely on when a babysitter was needed. Everyone received the same love from her no matter who you were or how old you were. Roberta is survived by her children Theresa M. Arenas (Stephen), Eduardo D. Garcia, JoAnn R. Garcia (Michael“Leno”), Erica V. Gallardo (Arthur); Past Love and dear friend whom she always referred to as her “Hunny” Joseph Perez; Sisters Carmen Williams, Micaela Escareno (Jose), Christina Valdivia; Brothers Alfredo Garcia (Linda), Angel Garcia (Patricia); Grandchildren, Tobey Garcia, Luis Arenas, Amber Beth, Justina Garcia, Michael Garcia III, Julian Garcia Sr., Matthew Garcia, Antonio Gallardo, Alec Gallardo; Great grandchildren Alyssa Garcia, Christopher Garcia Jr., Nyna Garcia, Santos Cortez, Julian Garcia Jr., Valencia Arenas, Cali Arenas, Maiya Garcia, Melayna Garcia, Anu Garcia; Great-great grandchild Leo Rodas Jr. and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents Torivio O. Garcia Sr. and Elvira (Rivera) Garcia; Sisters Mary Costillo, Carmella Jauregui; Brothers, Louis Garcia, Anthony Garcia, Ricardo Garcia, Torivio Garcia Jr., Philip Garcia and Pedro Garcia.

 Roberta was a beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and FRIEND. She was loved by many and the warmth and generosity she shared will always be felt. Her laughter will be remembered and the precious memories of her will forever be held in our hearts.