Lois Marie Christison Garcia

Lois Marie Christison Garcia, 76, of Ocala, Fla., formerly of Pittsburgh and Butler, most recently of Ocala, Fla., peacefully passed away Friday afternoon at her daughter’s house in Butler.

Born in Minneapolis, Minn., she was the daughter of the late Robert and Lois Whitesell Christison. She was Lutheran.

Affectionately known as Bub to her grandchildren and the occasional adult, Lois was a lover of lilacs, laughing children and PeeWee Herman, and she enjoyed drawing, researching family history, caring for her pets and playing solitaire and shared her love of reading with those closest to her. Although she never perfected the Lambie Cake, her attempts were entertaining as well as delicious.

She started her career as a nurse that fueled her lifelong passion as a community organizer. A host to both domestic and international visitors, she enjoyed her work with Welcome Wagon and also opened her doors to foreign exchange students. Lois was the founding member of Garcia and Associates, a public relations firm.

While living in Pittsburgh, she worked as a community advocate in Lawrenceville to create a safe neighborhood and thriving business district. While living in Lawrenceville, she was the owner and operator of Arsenal and Old Lace, a store that specialized in all things unnecessary but desirable.

Semi-retirement led her to work in various gift shops in Volant and eventually Ocala. She valued close relationships and found her work helping those less fortunate very rewarding.

She is survived by her children, Michael (Michelle) Garcia of Cochranton, Theresa “Terry” (Stephen Cupps) Garcia of Butler, Steven Garcia of Valencia and Elizabeth (Mike) Bauer of Pittsburgh; 14 grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; her siblings, John Christison of Canada, Dennis (Jenean) Christison of Minnesota, Margaret (Lee) Davis of Washington; a number of nieces and nephews; and her former husband and dear friend, Dr. Alfredo Garcia of Butler.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Richard Christison.

“She will always be with us, another angel in our hearts.”

GARCIA — A memorial service for Lois Marie Christison Garcia, who died Friday, Feb. 10, 2017, will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in the name of Lois to organizations that represented the causes she was passionate about, including the League of Women Voters, the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, the VNA Hospice and any other organization that is grounded in democratic social justice.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Edward L. Raisley Funeral Home, 387 Main St., Prospect.

For more information or to leave an online tribute, please visit www.raisleyfuneralhome.com.