March 21 2015: GARCIA, Mary T.

Mary Theresa “Terry” Garcia, nee Diederick

1/7/1925 – 3/20/2015

A native Washingtonian, Mary Theresa “Terry” Garcia was the daughter of George P. and Alice E. Diederick, and a descendent of many prominent early settlers of Maryland. She spent her childhood in Bethesda, Burnt Mills, and Gambrills (Davidsonville). In 1936, her family moved back to Washington, D.C. where Terry attended McKinley Technical High School, graduating in 1942. She joined the Office of Scientific Research and Development in 1943 and worked on the Manhattan Project. In 1947, Terry met Frank Victor Garcia of El Paso, Texas, a WWII veteran and Cartographer with the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, and in 1948 they were the first couple to be married at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Washington, D.C. In 1952, Terry and Frank settled in Takoma Park, Maryland, where they welcomed four children and were active members of the community. Terry volunteered at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, was a Girl Scout leader, supported her husband in his service as a Takoma Park City Councilman, was active in the Takoma Park Women’s Club, and participated in OASIS activities. After her husband’s death in 2009, Terry moved to Asbury Methodist Village to be near her son, and enjoyed many new friends and activities. A loving wife, sister, and mother, Terry was predeceased by her husband of 61 years, Frank; and her brother George P. Diederick, Jr. She is survived by her sister Catherine A. Vann of Reedville VA; her children Marty Foltyn (late husband Jim Wirt) of San Diego CA, Julie Hull (Bill) of Tulsa OK, Laura Garcia (Rodney Wilson) of Walker WV, and David (Alicia) of Gaithersburg MD; 16 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank her caregivers at Asbury. Relatives and friends may call at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring, MD, (Valet Parking), Monday, 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Sorrows, 1006 Larch Ave, Takoma Park, MD 20912 on Tuesday, March 24, at 10 a.m. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

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