Grace Michele Garcia , April 19, 1941 — October 21, 2018

The oldest of four children, “Michele” was born to Evelyn Smith (née) Poh and Lawrence Poh, Sr. in Richmond, Virginia. The daughter of an Army Major, Michele experienced life in both Japan and Germany, before settling in Virginia. While working at the Defense Logistical Agency in Richmond, Virginia, she met and married John Garcia.

Following their marriage, they moved to South Beach, Oregon, where Michele continued her professional career working at Central Lincoln PUD and the Oregon Coast Community College. Michele was a petite redhead but grand in personality. Known by many pet names, to her beloved husband, Michele was affectionately called “Shotzi”(German for Sweetheart), “Mumma” and “Mike” by family as well as “The Red Queen” by her close friend.

It was impossible not to know her presence in a room which bubbled over with her gaiety, infectious laughter and vivacious smile. She was a passionate patriot, proud of the military history of her family. The essence of a saucy Southern gal, Michele exuded beauty and grace as well as intelligence and an intense love for God’s creatures, from spiders to cetaceans.

Michele’s affinity with plants and animals was seen in her home which abounded with furry and whiskered pets, but her true passion was pachyderms and whales. Some years back while on a local whale excursion, the boat encountered a pod of whales enthusiastically engaged in mating; intimately close to the orgy, she marveled at the scale of the impassioned creatures, a memory she delighted in retelling with intensity as fresh as her first witness. We wish to thank Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital, to include Home Health, Hospice and Collier Creek Adult Foster Care for assisting Michele and our family.

Services for this beautiful lady will be held at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Newport on Saturday, November 3rd 2018 at 11AM. Surviving family include husband, John Robert Garcia, daughters Susan DiGiacomo (Frank) of Earlysville, VA; Michael Anne Claytor of Albany, OR; and Holly Nelson of Palmyra, VA. Grandchildren: Kathleen and Nick Adams, Mary Kate and Michaela Claytor; Taylor and Hunter Beck.

Brothers: Lawrence Poh, Jr. (Sallie) of Springfield, VA; Corbin Poh (Alice) of Wichita, KS; and Vincent Poh (Ceily) of Richmond, VA. Michele was preceded in death by her first child, newborn Noel. “Ask the beasts and they will teach you the beauty of this earth”.

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