Kimiko M. Garcia
Date of Passing:
Kimiko Mary Garcia “Kim”, 71, of Plain Street, Rehoboth, Massachusetts died unexpectedly at home on Wednesday, September 10, 2025.
“Kim” as she was affectionately known was born on September 27, 1953 in Providence, Rhode Island. She was the daughter of the late David H. Garcia and Yoshiko (Tachikawa) Garcia.
Kimiko grew up between Fox Point and East Providence and was a graduate of East Providence Senior High School class of 1971. She attended Providence College where she was the first African American cheerleader.
Kimiko was a Medical Administrative Assistant. She worked at Rhode Island Hosptial for 20 years and 10 additional years for various medical facilities where she was cherished by patients for the joy she brought to each interaction until her retirement in July 2025.
She attended New Hope Christian Church where her faith was a source of strength and community.
kimiko’s laughter would light up a room and her presence made everyone feel at ease. She was an extraordinary mother, sister, aunt and friend whose love reached far and wide. Her lifelong friends from Fox Point and East Providence knew her for her spunk, loyalty and great friendship—bonds she cherished throughout her life.
Kim found joy in simple pleasures; trips to California to see her sons, evening on the porch playing Candy Crush, gardening, dancing, listening to music and sharing her talents as a wonderful cook. Her warmth, humor and unwavering care for others will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
She is survived by her loving sons, Kazuo S. Varela of Cumberland, Rhode Island and Keijiro S. Varela of Benicia, California, a brother, Noboru Garica and his wife Joann of Fort Myers, Florida, a sister Tamako Garcia, Ph.D. of West Warwick, Rhode Island, many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great nephews and friends.
A service to celebrate Kim’s life will be held on Thursday, September 18, 2025 in the New Hope Christian Church, 1436 Grand Army of the Republic Hwy, Swansea, Massachusetts at 11:30 A.m. Visitation from 10:00 A.M -11:30 A.M. Burial will be private
My deepest sympathies to the family of the beloved mother of her sons who are past classmates and friends of myself and so many in our community. May you rest in peace and may comfort cover everyone who loves you.
Susan and I offer our deepest condolences. Kim was a wonderful person, employee, and friend for many years. I had the privilege of working with her in my solo practice for several years and then for many more in a medical group. I always enjoyed her sense of humor and sharing confidences. We will pray for her family and other friends.
Aunty Kim, you were a trailblazer and inspiration simply put. You always lit up a room and loved on all us Carlton Ave. babies. So glad I got to see you recently with your big smile, laugh, and dancing per usual. You will be sorely missed and I pray God covers all who loved you, especially my two cousins Kazi & Keiji! RIP AUNTY KIM🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
My deepest condolences to her son’s and family I worked with Kim for 6 yrs and she was so kind, caring, and funny. I will miss her. Still can’t believe she’s gone. Will be missed, but never forgotten.
So Sorry for the loss of such a beautiful person. She will be deeply missed. My Condolences to her Family. May she RIP 🙏🏽
To Bud, my condolences for your beautiful sister. May she Rest In Peace! Rick Mac
I extend my deepest condolences to Kim’s family at this difficult time.
Kazi & Keiji, may God comfort you on the loss of your mom. I know this will be so hard, but lean on God, and He will guide your steps. I have fond memories that go way back with you guys, your mom, and my dad over 30 years ago. As kids, we always think we have forever, and that our parents will be with us indefinitely….until we grow up and realize the blessings we have will always return back to God from whence they came.
Lifting you up in prayer and God’s hands.
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you his Shalom.
Shalom, blessings, and God’s love.
Xoxox
Lexi
Kimico’ was a great lady with a great sense of humor. She will be missed. My condolences to the family. May she rest in Peace
I have so many great memories of Kimiko!! I met her as a teenager tbrough some mutual acquaintances and she was so much fun to be around. Last time i saw her we ran into each other at Marshalls on Taunton Avenue and were looking at boots together. My condolences to her family and friends. She will always be remembered for her laugh and humor. Rest peacefully Kim.
My condolences to Kimiko’s family Prayers and blessings.🙏💕
My condolences and prayers to Kimiko’s sons and family.
May Jesus, the comforter, draw close and comfort you all at this most difficult time.
To Kimiko’s Family,
My sincerest condolences. I cheered with Kimiko at PC, and to this day I remember her infectious smile. I pray for your family’s continued strength and comfort.
Kim not mom was loved and respected for her work and friendships at Rhode Island Hospital
Mom was much loved and respected in her work at Rhode Island HospitL
My condolences to the family, I have worked with Kim for over 25 years and I’m going to miss her humor, phone calls and the “I Can’t”. Rest in peace my friend
until we meet again
My heart is so completely broken. We just spoke on the phone about your retiring, then, the next thing I knew, you went back to work. It was always uplifting conversations about life and our friends over the years. I was so glad to be able to continue to connect with you over the years. I will always miss you. You were one of the most kind and generous people I know. My condolences to your two sons, brother, sister, family and all of our friends that knew you. I thank God for the time that we had you here! Now you can rest from all your earthly work. My dear sweet friend Kimiko.
Our deepest condolences to the Garcia Family!🙏🏽
Kim was a great person, always full of joy and laughter. Its been a long time since I saw her but she will always be in my heart.
Sending love and prayers to the entire Garcia family. It is with my deepest condolences to hear of Kimiko’s passing. Memories of my childhood growing up close to you were filled with laughter & love and will forever be my heart.
Rest in Jesus sweet Sis🥲❤️
Words cannot express how shocked I am at the news of Kim’s passing. We’ve known each other for over 50 years and even though life had taken us in different directions and we didn’t connect often, every time we did, it was with pure adoration. I loved her spirit and sarcastic sense of humor. Rest in peace my friend
My prayers go out to the family, especially Kaz, Keiji, Tiff and Jas. I worked with Kim for almost 25 years at RIFC. She was a wonderful friend, fantastic mother and an excellent cook. We had a lot of laughs over the years and a few tears too. She will be sorely missed and the world is a sadder place without her. Kimmi was the big sister I never had, always telling me what to do and “pulling my coat”. Rest in Peace my beautiful friend. Until we meet again….
Words cannot express my shock and sadness at Kim’s sudden passing. I’ve worked with Kimiko for over 30 years..first at the Eye Institute and then at RI Foot Care. I will so miss her droll sense of humor, her unfailing compassion for the underdog and her endless collection of goofy sneakers.
To her sons and family, please know there are so many who feel your pain and share your loss. Deepest condolences to you all. I’ll never forget her.
With sympathy,
Andrea King-Nestell
Dear Tamako and entire Garcia family,
You have our deepest sympathy. We pray that you find strength and peace in the good memories that you share of Kimiko.
God bless you all and keep you in his loving care.
My dear sweet Kimiko. I am so broken hearted. I cannot express how stunned I feel from your passing. We just spoke, and that I am truly grateful for. I thank God for the time that you were here and the times we spent together. You were always very kind and generous you made me laugh and that no one can take away. I’ll remember that always to make me smile again. My deepest condolences to your two sons, brother, sister, family and all of our friends who knew you. Now you can rest from all your earthly work. I’m going to miss your calls my dear sweet Kim!
I too send my condolence to her sons and family. Her presence will surly be missed. Rest in Peace Kimiko.
I am shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of my friend. My condolences to the family.
RIP my friend.
Extending sincere condolences to Keji, Kazi & family. Kim was a dear friend, who was so supportive especially this past year( through my health challenges). She would appear at my door to do her “ drive bys” as she called them. Always a smile & words to lift one’s spirits & definitely make one laugh.
She remained a friend to my brother John, taking him to breakfast during difficult times.
Her kind, caring manner & her sense of humor will be missed!
May she RIEP. 🙏🏽🕊️🙏🏽❤️🌹🥲
Kim I last seen you at PC 2025 ALUMNI WEEKEND.
It was great to see you once again. I heard the news of your passing when I called an old friend in Georgia today. Bob Fowler asked if I knew you, of course I did, we attended PC during the same time.
The news was very shocking you appeared to be in good health and very upbeat at the reunion.
May you rest in Heavenly Peace🙏🏽😪🙏🏽
My Condolences to the family of Kimiko! So sorry for your loss! 💘God bless her & may she RIHP!!💘She was a beautiful,friendly caring young lady,gone to soon!
You will always and forever be my Auntie Kim ❤️ I love you and I was so saddened to hear of your passing. You have known me almost my entire life I am glad I had the honor to be a part of your family. You will be truly missed watch over everyone as I know you will fly high Heaven has gained a beautiful angel🕊️❤️
My sincere sympathy to Kim’s family.she could light up a room and make you feel better about everything by just talking to her.we will miss her terribly. Rest in peace my deer friend 🧡
MY Friend I’m shook She always so kind to me She’ll always missed
MY Friend I’m shook She always so kind to me She’ll always missed
My deepest condolences to Kimiko’s family & friends. I will always remember Kimiko’s joy in living; that’s what I learned from her.
I was stunned to hear of the passing of my dear friend Kimiko. I remember the first day I met her on the Providence college campus. I said what is Chaka Kahn doing here. For 50 years we remained friends. To the family I would say Keep Your Head To the Sky. She has been released and now soars free.
Kimiko I am going to miss you so much. When I call you,you would always call me. This time you didn’t now I know why. You are now with your mom, dad and the rest of your family that have passed. I will miss our conversations and support that you have given me. I am truly going to miss you our laughter and how you taught me how to cook from way back.I love you and will always. your in law Jo-Ann thank you Kimiko for our last few weeks of conversations very meaningful to me
So shocked and sorry to hear of Kim’s passing. We worked together for several years. To say that she was a character is an understatement. She was loved by the patients and her coworkers. She will be sorely missed. RIP my friend .
So happy I was able to speak with you one last time before your passing. You were always someone I could call and tattle on everyone else to. I will miss your weekend calls to check-in, and I will always remember how amazing an aunt can be, and make sure I do the same for Charlotte. Love, Jaja
My deepest sympathy to Kim’s family. She was a loyal and trusted friend and could make me laugh at anytime. I will always love her and keep her in my prayers forever. 🙏
I will always remember Kimiko’s smile, her wit and her laughter.
My family’s condolenses to Kim’s Family and Friends.
Rest Well
Kimiko will be missed by all that knew her. She was kind caring and always lit up the room. Always kept you laughing about some story from the past. My condolences to her sons and family..
My sincerest condolences to her sons Keiji and Kazi as well as her siblings and family members. There wasn’t a week that went by in over 60 years that we didn’t talk, Kimiko was like my sister and words do not exsist to express this grief.
Everything in this loving tribute of her obituary is true; Kimiko was kind, compassionate, warm and
loving.Her stay in this life was much too brief , for her family, friends and frankly, anyone who knew her, needed this rare spirit and the gifts she brought to life. Sincere prayers and sympathies are extended to her sons, siblings and all her family.May this lovely soul rest in divine, beautiful and heavenly peace.🙏🌺
It is with my most heart felt condolences to Kim’s family. I’ve known Kim for over 50 years and considered her one of my dearest friends. Her presence and personality lit up a room regardless of where she was. She was a loving mother, a dedicated sister and a loyal friend. May she rest in peace until we meet once again on the other side