Octavia Garza “Tabby” was born on January 6, 1925. Octavia recently became a centenarian and lives in Centennial.
She was the first of eight children, born in Trinadad, Colorado. Octavia spent her early years living in Pueblo close to the land and nature, working hard and helped raise her siblings. During World War II, while the men were overseas, like many women, she worked in a factory. After the war, she married Larry Garza a World War II veteran. They had two children, Lawrence Garza and Lorraine Salazar Craig, local Arapahoe County residents.
She had 4 grandchildren: Larry Jr. and Darrell Garza who both graduated from Arapahoe High School. Stephinity and Braun Salazar graduated from Cherry Creek High School. She helped raise them, she was a major influence upon them, living by example with unconditional love and care. She is outspoken, with strong support for female independence. She is still loving and opinionated and loves to regale everyone with stories of her long life. In her sixties and seventies, she traveled extensively, mainly overseas. Only in the last few years has she required caretaking assistance, mainly offered by Lorraine (daughter) and Stephinity (granddaughter).
A few years ago, she decided to take up singing and loves to sing the old 1940s classics. She still is able to walk, dance and can still touch her toes. The spark of her vital force is still going strong, good food makes her happy. She is beloved by her children, surviving grandchildren and many more members of the family. Octavia is not only the matriarch of the entire extended family; she is the first one to reach one-hundred and is still going strong.