Michele Jonckhére Garcia

In private care, with her children by her side, Michele Jonckhére Garcia (94) of Lawrence, Kansas passed away peacefully at her home Tuesday, July 11, 2023.  With the help of her children, she was able to fulfill her desire to live independently until a recent fall gave way to her passing.

Michele was born to the late Robert Jonckhére and Margerite Deligny Jonckhére in Paris, France on August 3, 1928.  At twenty-one, she met the love of her life, Thomas Garcia Jr. while he served in the U.S. Army during World War II in Central Europe.  Michele journeyed to Lawrence, Kansas, and married Tom on September 10, 1949, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church.  They shared 62 years of marriage before Tom’s death in 2012.

Michele was self-taught with her enjoyments of quilting, needlepoint, and gardening, but mostly her passion was caring for her family.  She shared the love of her French culture with her husband and children traveling back to France several times throughout the years for visits to experience the many sights and appreciate the magnificent cuisine of her home country.

After retirement Tom and Michele traveled extensively throughout the U.S. attending Tom’s reunions of the 75^th Infantry Division.

Michele was preceded in death by her parents, husband and grandson, Keith.  She is survived by her four children, Thomas Garcia III, Dolores (Stephen) Ortiz, Yvonne (Alan) Garcia, and Francine Gonzalez along with seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Private family mass of Christian Burial for Michele Jonckhére Garcia was held at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 14, 2023, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church.  Burial followed in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the LMH nursing staff on the 3^rd floor of the west wing for their care and Douglas County Visiting Nurses for the comfort and sensitivity shown to her and our entire family.

For more information or to post a condolence go to warrenmcelwain.com.