In Media Res

How can I even begin to sum up Katie’s life?

When writing a story, sometimes an author will begin in media res - ‘in the middle of things,’  as when beginning a book with something like “Jim shielded his eyes as the mortars exploded overhead,” or something like that.  The action is already happening.  You’re just thrown into it and have to figure out the back story later.

For Kate, her earthly life ended in media res.  The action is still happening.  Nine and a half years of marriage, four young children, brand new landscaping.  These aren’t things that typically accompany death.  There’s no easy way to sum her up because the second half of the book was torn out, or at least that’s how it feels.

These past days have been unbelievably difficult for us grown ups.  There have been more tears than I can count, and I know they’ve only just begun.  Our pastor, Fr. Hai, came by recently and mentioned how we’re being strong for the kids; that we’re here for them in this difficult time.  I think the truth may be the other way around.  They accept without question that Mommy is happy now.  She’s healthy now.  She’s no longer in pain and she’s with God in Heaven, and that makes them happy.  They’re processing in their own way, but I think our good friend Tricia is right when she says that they’re much closer to Him than we are.  They haven’t separated themselves from Him like we have over the course of decades.  So in many ways, they’re here for us more than we’re here for them.  They still need three square meals, two snacks, some naps, diaper changes, hugs, baths, stories, and prayers.  These things can at times feel like chores, but for us right now they’re blessed work to keep our hands busy.  Their hugs are more healing that I could have ever guessed they could be.

The truth is that I know that she’s happy and healthy, too.  When she passed, I saw her healed.  Not clearly, not anything I can quite put into words, but something I know in my heart.  She has that joy beyond all measure that can only come from beholding the face of our Lord without stain of sin or sadness.  She still loves us, in some ways more than she could before.

These days have been hard, and they will be hard for some time.  I have faith that the Lord is sending His Spirit, the Consoler.  It will just be some time before it doesn’t hurt like it does now, and that’s ok.  The pain confirms that I loved her.  It confirms that this is a great loss, and knowing that I loved her is comforting.  Please pray for us all as we mourn the loss of our dear Kate.   We will be praying for your healing and consolation.  And you can be certain that Kate is interceding for us all; that is how she lived on this earth, and I know that she’s continuing in Heaven.

Obituary and Service Details

Katherine Lorine Garcia was born January 10, 1983, to Paul and Tina Hoffman.  Kate was the second of three children along with her older brother, Joseph Hoffman and younger sister, Lisa Loftice.  The family grew up going to the lake, and Kate loved the lake best of all places.  It was for her a refuge, a retreat, and a second home.  Weekends and summers at the lake were mandatory, for it was there that she could truly relax and simply enjoy time with her family.

On August 11, 2007, she married David Thomas Garcia, her high school sweetheart.  In 2010, they welcomed their first-born, John David, followed in 2011 by Lilia Marie, Thomas James in 2013, and Andrew Paul in 2014.  In February 2016, Kate was diagnosed with appendiceal cancer, and after a brief remission in the fall, was diagnosed with stage IV in December.  On April 5, 2017, while holding David’s hand, she entered into her heavenly rest.

Kate loved Jesus and his Church with a passion that could be felt by all who knew her.  In public, she could be the life of the party or a quiet confidant, often switching from one to the other at will.  Despite her gregarious nature and ability to befriend anyone she met, she was strongly introverted, and maintained a healthy balance of time with friends and time alone at home with just her children and David.  She loved watching TV and movies, and would often spend nights at home, snuggled on the couch with David, enjoying a show.  She loved to write and kept a daily journal for most of her life.

Katie took her vocation to marriage and family life seriously, and worked tirelessly for her marriage and children.  For Katie and David, marriage was like a garden: beautiful to see in bloom.  And like a garden,  it took work to keep it pruned, to pull out weeds, to water, and feed.  Kate was always reading and researching ways to be the best mother she could be for their four children, and she was an incredible mother: kind but firm, gentle even when disciplining, and purposeful in decision making.

Throughout her illness, Katie wrote and shared her thoughts and reflections online, touching hundreds, even thousands of hearts and drawing them closer to Jesus.  That was always her driving force - to bring others closer to God.  While at Franciscan University, Kate joined a sisterhood of faithful women - Stella Mariae.  Their household greeting, though short, seems fitting as she departs us for her final reward:

“It is the deepest desire of my heart to see you in heaven.”




A public visitation and vigil service will be held on Monday, April 10th at 6:30 pm and 7:30 pm, respectively, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Houston, Tx.  The funeral mass will follow there on Tuesday at 10 am, with a public reception immediately after mass at the parish hall.  A private graveside service will be held at a later time.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to one of the two schools below:


Franciscan University of Steubenville
Steubenville, OH
We are working on setting up a memorial fund, but I'm sure if you make a note with your donation we can get it applied to the fund at a later date.


The Saint Constantine School
Our two oldest are here, and the two youngest will start attending when they are old enough.
Please make checks payable to The Saint Constantine School and send to:

The Saint Constantine School
6000 Dale Carnegie Lane
Houston TX 77036

A gift receipt will be mailed to you before January 31 of the current tax season.