Emily Marquez

Emilia Garcia Marquez, 87, of Abilene, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, February 13, 2018. Visitation will be from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM Friday, February 16, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home Chapel, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene, followed by a prayer service and rosary at 7:00 PM.  Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Saturday, February 17, at St. Vincent Pallotti Catholic Church.  Burial will follow in the Abilene Municipal Cemetery – Masonic Section.

Emily was born on August 8, 1930 in Cisco, TX.  She married Alfredo Marquez on May 17, 1948 and they moved to Abilene in 1951 where they raised their family. Emily and Alfred were members of St. Vincent Pallotti Catholic Church.

Emily was a homemaker for many years until she began working for Abilene ISD.  She was employed as an aide for the Head Start program at Fannin Elementary. Later she was certified as an ESL instructor.

Family was always first but she found time to attend Cisco Jr College, McMurry College and Texas Women’s University to further her education. She always emphasized learning, both in and out of school.

Grandma or Granny as she was called, loved her family and loved to be surrounded by them all, especially her grandchildren. She decorated her home each holiday for their enjoyment.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Guadalupe Garcia, son, John Arthur Marquez, grandson, Patrick Ryan Marquez and sisters, Gloria Garcia; Phyllis Lopez and husband, Ted; Lucy Marquez and husband Ruben.

Family left to cherish her memory are her devoted husband of 69 years, Alfred Marquez; son Vance Marquez and wife Elva (Victoria); daughter Virginia Salsbury and Jack Beard (Waco); son Joe Marquez and wife Karen (Corpus Christi); daughter Anita Bartek and husband Frank (Brownwood); son Vincent Marquez, Sr. (Abilene); and daughter Liz Sharp and husband Ken (Waco); brother Frank Garcia and wife Tina  (California); 28 grandchildren, and 40 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren.

The family would extend their appreciation to Gloria Gutierrez for her kind and compassionate care of Emily, as well as Sofie Pena, and Hendrick Hospice Care staff.