Dr. Phyllis Mae Garcia attended Southern Colorado State College, Taught at Sierra Grande school, obtained a Master's Degree at Adams State College, and received her Ph.D. in Education from the University of Northern Colorado.

She was a college professor at UNC, the University of Colorado Boulder and Arizona State University. Recognized as a national expert in Bilingual Education Reading, she headlined dozens of conferences, received many awards and influenced thousands of students. 

Rosary, mass, and interment were held Saturday, May 18, 2024