Dolores "Lolly" Garcia

DOLORES LOLLY GARCIA
JANUARY 6, 1940 - SEPTEMBER 29, 2023

Dolores Lolly Garcia was born in Laredo, Texas, she passed away on September 29, 2023, after a long battle with cancer. At the age of 15, she obtained her first job working for Drs. J. G. Cigarroa Sr and J.G. Cigarroa Jr., and at the same time assisting in the former MaReb Pharmacy with various pharmacy duties. While working at the clinic she met Senator Wayne Connally and his family and offered her a job as manager in his Senate office in Austin.

She distinguished herself by serving as the Senate's first Hispanic female legislative aide. After serving in that capacity for eight years, she was selected by the Senate Administration Committee to be the first Hispanic Female Administrator to serve as the Senate's first Director of the Senate Human Resources Department and EEO Officer of the Teas Senate.

Her accomplishments in this role included: establishing the first Senate Human Resources Office; writing and implementing the first employee policy and procedures manual; designing and implementing the first Senate employment application forms, payroll forms, and created a time and attendance reporting system, and establishing a Staff Development Program. She also broke barriers by bringing the Senate into compliance with EEOC regulations, writing the Senate EEO procedures manual; hiring and promoting minorities in all the 15 Senate departments.

These procedures manuals and most of her other publications were used as an implementation and model for several State Legislatures. She is credited for having hired the first non-custodial, black female clerical senate employee.

She also wrote numerous instructional booklets and manuals for senate employees and applicants on effective job search and interviewing techniques, writing proper resumes, etiquette, and professional business attire. She also created a Senate Page program designed to expose children at an early age to the legislative process and encourage and inspire them to seek higher educational goals. Years later, most of the children in the program went on to become civic leaders, attorneys, administrators, and educators. She considered this one of her most gratifying and rewarding achievements, and her greatest honor and privilege was working in the Texas Senate.

Taking advantage of her Spanish language skills she was frequently asked to tutor, translate, write speeches and letters, etc., for members of both houses of the legislative branch and the Governor's office.

During her spare time, Lolly managed to obtain her Real Estate Broker's License at a very young age; and worked as a runway and in-store fashion model for Frost Bros. and Joske's department stores and also various charitable fund-raising organizations in Austin, Killeen, and San Antonio.

Throughout her career, Lolly never lost sight of her roots. For 18 years she brought a large legislative delegation to Laredo to attend the annual George Washington's Birthday Celebration. Numerous Laredo and statewide citizens achieved their educational goals and employment through Lolly's tireless assistance, this effort continued throughout her life.

Lolly was a sought-after motivational speaker, inspiring and challenging students at several local schools, colleges, and universities in Central Texas. She urged them to look beyond all of life's obstacles in order to achieve their dreams and therein discover the secret to a fulfilled good life.

After 33 years of state service, Lolly went on to teach elementary school for ten years in the Austin ISD. She attended the University of Texas and St. Edward's University where she majored in Public Administration.

She was a member of the International Personnel Management Association, Society for Human Resources Management Association, Texas State Personnel Administrators Association, and Texas State Agency Business Administrator's Association. She also served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Capitol Credit Union and was one of the first Board Members of the Austin Comprehensive Hospice.

After retirement, Lolly enjoyed being a docent at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and volunteered at M.D. Anderson Hospital, YMCA Alzheimer's Respite Care, Family Elder Care, and other local civic and charitable organizations. She organized the Former Senate Ladies Lunch Bunch Club, a support/social group composed of former Senate employees.
The group meets once a month and makes yearly contributions to charitable organizations. She traveled extensively throughout Europe and Mexico and enjoyed dancing, reading, horseback riding, painting, and playing piano.

She is preceded in death by her father and mother: Pablo and Dolores Longoria Garcia; brothers: Pablo (Ruth), Armando (Beverly), and sisters: Yolanda (Gilberto) Garza, Amanda (Salvador) Velazquez, Ana Maria (Victor) Mendoza and Alma.

She is survived by sisters: Norma, Hilda (Ramiro) Garza, Maria Eugenia (Rafael) Perez, and many nephews and nieces.

A Memorial Service will be held on October 14, 2023 at 9 am at Hillside Funerals & Cremations; 310 W. Hillside Rd; Laredo, Texas 78041. Visiting hours will be from 9 am to 12 noon.

A private interment will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations be made to the charity of your choice or to M.D. Anderson Cancer Research Center-Donations; PO Box 4486; Houston, Texas 77210-4486.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Hillside Funerals and Cremations; 310 W. Hillside Rd; Laredo, TX 78041; 956.724.6060