Ofelia Navarrete

After a long life filled with family, love and resilience, Ofelia Fay Garcia Navarrete passed away peacefully on July 9, 2026, with her children Gary and Lisa by her side.

Her passing leaves the world with a little less luster and a little less goodness.

Ofelia was born in Harlingen, Texas on May 17, 1929, to Maria Encarnacion Garza and Oscar Denato Garcia. In the spring of 1946, when Ofelia was 17 she, along with her mother, sisters Olga and Oralia, and brother Olaf moved to Rutland, Vermont to join her brother Oscar who relocated there after WWII.

They were one of Rutland’s first Spanish speaking families and were warmly welcomed into the Allen Street neighborhood. It was there that some of Ofelia’s closest friendships were forged.

Ofelia graduated from Rutland High School in 1948. She married Raul Navarrete in 1960 and together their raised their family in Rutland.

She worked for the New England Telephone Company for many years where she developed strong friendships that endured throughout her life.

In 2019, Ofelia moved to Ogunquit, Maine to live with her son Gary who created a supportive and caring home for her.

Ofelia was proud of her genealogy which she enthusiastically shared with her family. She collected documents, photos and stories, and faithfully stayed in contact with both close and distant relatives in Mexico, Texas and California. We are so thankful that Ofelia kept us connected to our rich past.

Ofelia is predeceased by her husband, Raul Navarrete, and her brothers Oscar Garcia and Olaf Garcia.

She is survived by son Gary Navarrete of Ogunquit, Maine, her daughter Lisa Navarrete and her husband Richard Long of Grand Isle, Vermont and Joshua Tree, California, and her sisters Olga Laird and Oralia Williams. She is also survived by two sisters-in-law Nancy Garcia and Irma Guadalupe Navarrete, brother-in-law Porfirio Navarrete and his wife Marlene, and 26 nieces and nephews who adored her.

Ofelia leaves us with many fine and priceless memories like the time she and her sisters serenaded a young U.S. sailor on leave in New York City with a rousing, and we imagine slightly off-key version of “We Saw the Sea”. After his initial shock they, of course, became instant friends. Or when she tried to teach Spanish to the Horton Street kids which didn’t go so well despite her enthusiasm and knowledge of the subject.

Ofelia unconditionally loved her children Gary and Lisa who, in turn, lovingly cared for her in her later years. Above all, Ofelia was a good person with a pure heart. She was a mother, a sister, an aunt and a beloved family matriarch.

As is fitting, the family will privately celebrate Ofelia’s life with family and close friends August 8th at the annual family reunion.