Irma Garcia, a 46 year old teacher at Robb Elementary school in Uvdale, Texas was one among the 21 people killed by Salvador Ramos, the 18-year old gunman who opened fire in a fourth grade classroom and killed 19 students and 2 teachers. Her devastated husband, 43-year old Joe Gracia died of a heart attack, on Thursday morning leaving behind four orphans. Irma’s cousin Debra Austin started a GoFundMe page for the orphans and money poured in from well wishers.
Joe Gracia had gone to his wife of 25 years Irma Garcia’s memorial, on Thursday. He had taken a vase of red roses. He died of a heart attack, a few hours later. His relatives said that he was heartbroken and that he went into cardiac arrest, due to his grief over his wife’s death.
Joe and Irma’s children attended a mass, on Thursday, in remembrance of their parents. Father Eduardo Morales blessed three of their children and said, “We are your family. Your mother and father will always find a way to take care of you.”
Joe and Irma Garcia leave behind four children
Cristian, 23
Jose,19
Lyliana, 16 and
Alysandra, 12.
Joe Garcia visited his wife's memorial this morning to place flowers on a cross with her name on it. Joe is the husband to Irma Garcia. Not long after Joe visited Irma's memorial, he suffered a heart attack and died.
— KHOU 11 News Houston (@KHOU) May 26, 2022
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Irma’s cousin Debra Austin started a crowdfunding page in the name of Joe & Irma Austin for their orphaned children. She wrote on the GoFundMe page that she believed that Irma’s death was too much for Joe to bear and that he died of a “broken heart” after losing the love of his life, who had been with him for more than a quarter of a century.
Debra also wrote that Irma loved the kids she taught at Robb Elementary School and that she had died trying to protect them.
The GoFundMe page for Rob and Irma had a goal of $10,000 but got $2 million. Many people sent donations for the four orphans. Some celebrity donors who gave more than $2,000 each included
Singer Kelly Rowland–Destiny’s Child
Porsha Williams–Real Housewives of Atlanta
Mona Kattan–YouTuber
Maureen Orth–Writer
Singer-songwriter Alexa Ray Joel–daughter of Billy Joel.
Teen Texas shooter kills 19 children and two adults including young girl as she tries to call 911
