Rebecca Garcia Leija

In March 12, 1941 Rebecca Leija was born in Linares, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. Her family lived in the state of Nuevo Leon for many generations, little did she know that she would be the beginning of a new generation, in a new country, full of new changes. She was the child of María Del Refugio and Estéban Treviño García. Of their six children Rebecca was the only one born in Mexico. Rebecca and her parents were Mexican migrant workers in the United States. As a family they overcame various types of obstacles including: racism, poverty, and limited opportunities.
Immigration
Rebecca’s Father Estéban Treviño García immigrated to the United States on December 18, 1938. However, it is unknown when María Del Refugio and their daughter joined him in the United States. Fortunately, in public record it is listed that Rebecca was born in Mexico while her sister Esther Garcia was born on July 15, 1944 in Edcouch, Hidalgo, Texas. From this is can be inferred that they immigrated sometime between the births of their first two children.
Family Life
Following their immigration, the subsequent 4 children were born.
* Juan Garcia- August 6, 1950
** Harlingen, Cameron, Texas
* Gloria Garcia- September 19, 1955
** Harlingen, Cameron, Texas
* Ruben Garcia- March 17, 1957
** Edcouch, Hidalgo, Texas
* Graciela N. Garcia- October 12, 1961
** Blackfoot, Bingham, Idaho
Marriage
On January 12, 1957 Rebecca married Alvaro Leija in Hidalgo, Texas. They were married for 52 years until they filed for divorce in 2009. Alvaro Leija never remarried.
Children
Rebecca had six children of her own.
*Elva Leija- December 9, 1961
**Hidalgo, Texas
*Eva Leija- February 21, 1963
**Hidalgo, Texas
*Raul Leija- September 13, 1965
**Sunnyside, Yakima, Washington
*Emilio Leija- October 24, 1970
**Normal, Illinois
*David Leija- March 4, 1974
**Aurora, Kane, Illinois
*Antonio Leija-February 8, 1976
**Aurora, Kane, Illinois
Adversity
One of the main tragedies of her family was the unfortunate death of her oldest brother. Juan Garcia died suddenly in drowning accident while at a 4 July gathering with his family. Her mother would live for many healthy years, and eventually retired the name María Del Refugio, all of her family members remember her as Mama Cuca. She would die at the age of eighty-two in September 20, 2003.
Less than ten years after the death of her mother Rebecca was diagnosed with cancer, and she later died at sixty-nine years old on October 9, 2010.<ref name=":0" />
Legacy
Along with many other women Rebecca chose to leave her legacy with her children, and she lived to see all thirteen of her grandchildren.<ref name=":0" /> However, the main legacy of her family is that they are all resting together in Sunnyside, Yakima County, Washington State.

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