Patricia Del Carmen Garcia Stephens
She lived her life for her children, Barby Garcia-Gutierrez and Enrique Garcia-Gutierrez, and her grandchildren, Elijah N. Bodell, Nestor E. Garcia and Camila De Rose Garcia, who referred to her as their "Titas."
Patty was born September 18, 1951 in "El DF," aka Mexico City, Mexico. She moved to the United States in 1983 with her two children - not for an American Dream, but for an American sweetheart.
She met Jay Stephens at her quinceañera while he served his LDS mission in Mexico. After he returned to the United States, they kept in touch for 17 years until she joined him in Utah. They were married from 1985-1989.
Prior to that, and for the rest of her years, Patty was a single mother.
A source of great pride for her came through her work for Catholic Community Services on the Utah Immigration Project from the mid-‘80s to the late ‘90s.
She played an integral role in fighting a system that entrapped undocumented workers in Utah for the cheap profit of local businesses. Employers were in the practice of hiring these workers and, come payday, taking steps to have them deported. Many of these workers in fact had citizenship, but didn't have the paperwork to prove it, as their parents or grandparents immigrated without documents. Patty helped them either gain American citizenship or improve their citizenship status.
She appeared before judges on their behalf and consequently became known in the local community, both to Latinos and court officials, as a voice for undocumented workers. The work fulfilled her. She left behind a comfortable life in Mexico and immigrated with ease; she wanted to help those from her native country who weren't as fortunate.
Patty loved her Mexican culture and managed to keep it alive in a place like Utah - on her stovetop and at the "discotecas." Her pozole, chile rellenos and frijoles could restore peace, comfort wounds and enamor suitors. Her baking, on the other hand, could prove the depth of someone's love for her, if they found it edible.
Patty owned Lycra pants and blue eyeshadow: essential components of her dancing uniform. She never moved her feet when she danced, but she moved her family to stitches.
She enjoyed the movies "Tootsie" and "The Birdcage." As a result, she got a kick out of drag queens. She also supported the LGBTQ Community or as she lovingly referred to them - "The Gays."
Patty was admired, and will be remembered, for her humor, grace, and love and acceptance of all people.
In addition to her children and grandchildren, Patty is survived by her sister Maria Cecilia "Sandra" Vargas. She is preceded in death by her parents Nestor Gutierrez Urroz and Carmen Garcia Alcaraz de Gutierrez, and brother Angel Augusto Gutierrez.
A celebration of her life will be held 6-8 p.m., Saturday, August 8 at Stark Funeral Parlor, 3651 S. 900 E., in Salt Lake City. Donations to Patty's funeral fund are appreciated and can be made at gofundme.com/7f3ka2zd3ka2.