One of Falcon’s familiar faces, Safeway cashier Beverly Garza, was killed on Aug. 24 when the car she was driving veered off the road near Ellicott Highway and Highway 94 and hit a tree. The investigation revealed that she was probably trying to find something in her purse at the time of the accident.Garza was a Falcon Safeway employee for four years, working her way up from courtesy clerk to checker. Chris Seeley, Safeway store manager, said Garza was a good employee, but more importantly, a good person. He said she worked hard to provide for her family, and gained the respect of her co-workers. “Bev had a big heart,” Seeley said. “We’ve lost more than a co-worker. We lost a friend, too.”Garza was born in New Mexico and moved to the Falcon area after a divorce. She wanted change and brought her four children to Colorado.Garza’s aunt, Evelyn Salas, said Garza was an amazing woman who set high goals for herself and worked hard to accomplish them. She raised four strong children, who are all honor roll students. “She made sure the kids had what they needed; she worked so hard and came a long, long way in her life,” Salas said. In four short years in Colorado, she said Garza made many friends and touched many lives.Salas and her husband, Lawrence, will care for the four children: Robert Gonzales, age 21; Chastity, age 16; Tony, age 15; and Cheyenne, age 11.The Beverly Garza Memorial fund has been set up at Farmer’s State Bank in Falcon in Garza’s memory. All donations will go to her children.The family wishes to express their gratitude to Ellicott Schools, Falcon Safeway employees and especially to the El Paso County Sheriff’s Department.Photo used by permission of Evelyn SalasEditor’s note: ANOTHER FRIEND IS GONE: Art Van Sant died a few weeks ago. Art, a commercial landowner in Falcon, had a tremendous history with the area, and truly loved it. Art was a good friend to the NFH, and supported our beginning efforts wholeheartedly. We will do a special tribute to Art in our November issue.
