Alba A. Garris

In the early morning hours of July 19th, 2010, God gently took the hand of his loving daughter, Alba Garris, and led her home to be reunited at last with her beloved husband Ed. Alba was born in 1923 to Mary and Jim Pasquinelly. She was a proud graduate of Woodward High School, and during World War II she worked for the Rossford Ordinance. When her fianc, Ed Garris, returned home after the War, they were married within a month of his return. Mom delighted in telling the story of how quickly a beautiful wedding can be planned when the happy couple has been separated for three long years. The beautiful wedding became a beautiful marriage that lasted almost 40 years. Our Mom was the perfect mom. She was always the first to volunteer to be a cub scout or brownie leader, and our friends loved to be invited to dinner at the Garris house because it meant a home-cooked sit down dinner every night. Together she and our dad worked hard to create a home filled with love, respect, and much laughter. Albas dream was that all of her children would be college graduates. From the time we were born, she would tell us that we would go to college, and she and dad worked so hard to give us that wonderful gift. After Eds death in 1986 Alba threw herself into her work at the University of Toledo Registrars Office. She loved working with the students, and it was a daily joy to her to work with her best friend, Peg Tams. Peggy did so much to help her through this very difficult transition. Their life-long friendship gave mom joy until the day she died. Whenever we heard her laughing while talking on the phone, we knew she and Aunt Peg were reliving a fun memory or creating a new one. She also enjoyed traveling with friends and family, and she explored many new states and created new adventures through the years. Her grand kids still laugh when they remember her changing into a pair of metallic gold slippers halfway through a day in Disney World and proclaiming, I didnt think anyone would notice! Thanks, Mom, for teaching us how to forgive, to be optimistic, to trust God completely, to laugh with abandon, and to put family first. All of us know the joy of reading, because you were such a voracious reader. The day you died you were deeply engrossed in a new book! Thanks for supporting us, teaching us to pray, and showing us there is something new to be learned every day! Alba was preceded in death by her beloved Ed, her parents, her brothers, Elmo, Neil and Ed Pasquinelly, brothers-in-law Les, Danny and Dick Garris, and sisters-in-law Laura, Shirley, and Yvonne Pasquinelly. Alba is survived by her daughter and son-in law Linda and Dennis Jenkins, son and daughter-in-law Jamie and Pam Garris, and daughter and son-in-law Lisa and Ron Gatton. Also surviving are her cherished grandchildren, Megan Jenkins and fianc Mike Swartz, Heidi and Jon Steinker, Hannah, Wes, and Samantha Gatton, and precious great grand-daughter, Peyton. Two beloved brothers and their spouses also survive, Eugene and Nicolette Pasquinelly and Richard and Barb Pasquinelly. Also surviving Alba are her sisters-in-law Dorothy Garris, Norma Garris, Fran Garris, Rose Pasquinelly and many cherished aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Peggy Tams and Betty Gatton were her loyal and dear friends in good days and difficult days, and we thank them for their love and support through the years. Mom loved you both! She had a special place in her heart for Robert Clatt, baby Peytons father. We would also like to thank Moms physicians, Kelly Emch and Ron Wainz for many years of loving care. Mom always hugged you both, and now we send you a hug! We thank ER Dr. Ford, ER nurse Jenn and CCU nurse Christine on duty during the night of July 18th at Toledo Hospital. We greatly appreciate the paramedics and firefighters who so gently helped her with her final journey. You all were so kind and gentle with our precious mother, we will never forget. Also, thank you to all of those who have taken time to call or drop Alba a note or visit over the past few years when her life became more limited. You will never know how much it meant to her and to us. God bless you!! Father Jim Cryan, we love you. There will be no visitation and services will be private, per Albas wishes. Walker Funeral Home is handling arrangements. If you would like to make a donation in Albas memory, please consider St. Pius X Catholic Church, 3011 Carskaddon, Toledo, Ohio 43606. Share condolences at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com Just as Bilbo Baggins said in one of Moms favorite novels, I think I am ready for another adventure we know that you are with Dad, and the new adventure has just begun, Mom. We love you forever!