Sarah Ann Sears Garza, age 95, passed away peacefully on June 3, 2021, after a hard fought battle with Alzheimer's Dementia. She was born October 6, 1925 in Bletchley Bucks, England to Gustavus and Margaret Sears. She was one of 4 daughters where family was extremely important. During World War II, she worked in the Foreign Affairs Office where she met her future husband Nick E. Garza. They married on April 6, 1945. Her father was overseas at the time, and it was 25 years later before he finally met his son-in-law. They were married for 63 years.

Sarah was a very strong, resilient woman, making the decision to marry and move from the country she grew up in and loved dearly, to another country to be with her husband. She left her family and travelled alone on the very crowded Queen Mary with numerous other war brides, coming into Ellis Island, New York, to reunite with her husband after several months' separation. They took a long train ride to San Antonio where they would live. She was a little nervous, meeting her husband's family for the first time – a different culture, a different lifestyle – but, a new way of life that she adapted to with grace.

During their marriage, Sarah stayed home to raise and care for their five children, while her husband worked two jobs and attended school. After the children were grown, Sarah went to work for the first time, helping out at the neighborhood children's store – The Jefferson Juvenile. She loved working since it gave her the opportunity to do something outside the home, as well as associate with close friends. Working gave her a sense of independence. Sarah was an avid tennis player, participating in many tournaments and winning her share of trophies. She took painting lessons from a close neighbor and friend, and completed many beautiful oil paintings. She was also an accomplished seamstress, often times making clothes for her children. She also volunteered at the Methodist Hospital as a Blue Bird. She was a member of the Altar Society at St. Paul's Catholic Church. Sarah and Nick loved gathering monthly with their local friends in a couples club called The Yucatans. She kept her British ties alive with her fellow "war brides" through the Daughters of the British Empire (DBE). She loved to have neighbors over to visit and have coffee in the backyard, while their children spent many hours playing together.

Sarah instilled in her children the importance of family, and the value of traditions. The family went on outings together, attended mass weekly, and always made time to gather at the dinner table.

Family, too, played a big part in mother's daily care for several years. Sarah's grandson-in-law, Eric, helped to get her day started with a good meal, run errands, and often played cards with her. Her son-in-law Herb spent alternate days with her, taking her on various outings, lunch and the like. The family was also blessed to have Elise, her granddaughter, on weekends. She would visit with mother about her homeland, play games and read to her.

One of Sarah's wishes was to spend her remaining time at home where she felt most comfortable and safe. As mother's dementia progressed and her health declined, the family found it necessary to provide her with more qualified care during the day. That is when Irene joined the Garza family. The family expresses their most heartfelt gratitude to Irene, for her compassion and tireless devotion, while providing for all of mother's needs, day in and day out. Mother's days were clearly lengthened because of the love she received in her daily care.

Sarah is survived by her five children and their spouses - Susan Markworth and husband Vernon, Jennifer Smyrl and husband Herbert, Nick Garza and wife Iris, Georgina Hind and husband Robert, and Aimee Fite and husband Edward; nine grandchildren - Kelly Murray, Scott Markworth, Nikki Lyn Gross, Elise Lopez, Heather Allen, Rebecca Gough, Kimberly Rodriguez, Lara Lee Woody and Brenton Fite; ten great grandchildren; two great, great grandchildren, and several cousins, nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by her husband Nick, her mother and father, Gustavus and Margaret, and her sisters Margaret, Lilly and "Babs."

Pall Bearers are: Nick Garza, Vernon Markworth, Herbert Smyrl, Robert Hind, Edward Fite, Brenton Fite and Scott Markworth.

Please join us at St. Paul Catholic Church, 350 Sutton Dr., San Antonio, TX 78228 as we celebrate Sarah's life Monday, June 14, 2021 beginning at 10:00 AM with a visitation, Rosary at 11:00 AM, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial. Graveside services will follow at San Fernando Cemetery #2, 746 Castroville Rd., San Antonio, TX 78237.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Heart of Texas Hospice (Spring Branch, Texas) Alzheimer's Association (San Antonio & South Texas), or St. Paul Catholic School (307 John Adams Dr., San Antonio, TX 78228).