Michèle Garcia

Michèle's Life Story

Born

23 November 1949

Passed

8 September 2024

Lived In

London

On the 23rd November 1949 a saint placed an angel in the heart of Casa Blanca, Morocco. With two adoring madly in love parents Georges and Guisepinna Demey and their son Jean Claude, who was more than pleased to have the role as her protective older brother being 6 years her senior! With a wild imagination and a knack for story telling, tales would roll off her tongue and entrance her audiences, especially her younger cousins who would look forward to seeing their relative, who became affectionately known to all as Michou. (Me~shoe) Surrounded by Arabic, Italian and French influence, Michou had a vibrant upbringing with a zest for flavour, people, travel and culture. Her decisions in life were made only after feeling well informed. For this same reason she took it upon herself to read the Torah, Quran and the Bible before deciding if she wanted to remain a Catholic. Her studies took her to university in Paris, but it was at that moment when saying goodbye to her parents, that she felt an overwhelming sense she would not be back to her home and her beloved Casablanca. There were bigger plans for her, and her curious nature and joy of learning lead her to London where she would improve her English and meet the most unlikely man at her work, a huge extrovert with questionable dress sense; Carlos! He didnt hesitate of course in asking her out. Their first date had them sat for dinner. Carlos asked Michèle what she would be drinking. She said red, and to her utter surprise he called the waiter and ordered a bottle of red for the lady and a bottle of white for himself. He even finished off the meal with zambucas! She didn't want him to know she was not used to drinking this much, so left the restaurant trailing behind and holding onto chairs to steady herself on the way out. This didn't put her off however, so they met again, and again before quickly moving in together where they resided in Notting Hill. And naturally, being Michèle, she added another language to her list, and would converse fluently in Spanish to Carlos and all her new friends he intriduced her to. As they say, the rest is history! Michèle and Carlos decided Croydon would be their home next (but also because the house was an affordable dump) There, they made it a forever home and had their two children Christopher and Anna Maria. Michèle's sparkle ignited once again as a mother. Story telling, Easter egg hunts, baking, scrap books, magical Christmas's, tangerine lanterns, trips to the circus, and pancake days with every topping you can think of. Traditions she had fostered and carried forward and ones she had created. The 80s, 90s, 2000's saw tantrums, laughter, mishaps and lessons learned, ‘Are we there yets’ and ‘I'm not going to schools’, forgetting keys and finding money in coat pockets, days out and trips abroad to see family in France and Spain, arguments and corrections (consulting the oxford dictionary was a regular occurance)There were kisses and affection, nursery to secondary school, boys, girls and sleepovers, saturday night tv together, herbal tea and biscuits, out with friends every week, to on the phone chatting to mum and dad instead, moving out, moving in, not listening , to asking for advice. Her lust for study saw her through Open University courses, public speaking , photography and driving lessons (those didnt go too well!) and her idea to surprise Carlos one birthday with golf lessons set off his new passion for the sport and in turn new friends they would have for life. It also meant that on weekends she could enjoy some peace and quiet.. from Carlos that is! Her first job back after having time with the children was at Croydon Council, which saw her through until retirement. She formed close friendships there, but even surprised her colleagues on her 60th when she appeared in purple, with a hat and feather boa in line with the famous poem called 'Warning', because although she could be shy, she wasnt meak , but instead defiant and that day she showed her colleagues too! Michèle always put others first giving her time, generosity and patience. She made sure no child missed out, creating xmas stockings and gifts for their friends children Lidia and Joe and always treated them the same as family. Everything would be considered and thoughtful. She would worry that everyone was OK ahead of herself. Her unique quirks, rubbing her hands together whilst chit chatting away, piercing her lips when cross, encouraging imagination and the lands of make believe in her children and their friends, being considered and liberal in her views, making the best rice pudding and turkey croquettes, falling asleep with a book on her face, dancing with her husband and buying nik naks for people. Her ideas and opinions are greatly missed, but we are so honoured to to have had her as a wife, mother, friend and family. And so her journey had to end and a star now twinkles at night. Love you always and forever, our Michou xx

Funeral Details

South London (Streatham Vale) Crematorium

20/09/2024

12pm

Officiant: Father Nicholas

Please do not feel the need to wear black. Michèle would not have liked the ceremony to be morbid, so we extend our sentiment to you to come in any colour you feel.

There will be a memory book also available to write in on the day. You are welcome to bring along photos or any items you would like to stick inside the book to add alongside your words.

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