Celia Garcia Harker

Celia Garcia Harker, affectionately known as Sally, passed away peacefully on March 9, 2026, at Utah Valley Hospital in Provo, surrounded by her loving family. She was 60 years old. Born on March 13, 1965, in Santa Barbara, California, she was the youngest of six children born to Jose and Frances Garcia. After graduating from Santa Barbara High School, she joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served a mission in the Peru Trujillo Mission from 1986 to 1987, where she baptized many and experienced profound spiritual growth.

In 1988 she married Brian Harker and together they moved to Provo, Utah, to attend Brigham Young University. Just weeks after their arrival, Sally was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Disease. She courageously balanced radiation treatments with her studies and worked nights as a Spanish teacher and shift trainer at the Missionary Training Center. After a year of treatment she was declared cancer-free and graduated in Family Science in 1991. The couple later lived in New York City while Brian pursued his PhD, where Sally worked as an executive assistant on Wall Street and was called as Stake Relief Society President for the Manhattan Stake at the age of 28. She returned to Utah in 1996, where she faithfully served in numerous church callings, including Relief Society President, Primary President, and Gospel Doctrine Teacher.

Sally was a devoted mother to her two sons, Daniel and Robbie, whom she called her pride and joy. She homeschooled them for several years, creating a dedicated classroom in their basement and later guiding them through their transition to public school. The family enjoyed a memorable six-month sabbatical in New York City in 2005, during which she took her boys on educational trips to historical sites and museums along the East Coast. She later found fulfillment working as office manager for the Art City Music Academy in Springville. Sally lived to witness her sons serve Spanish-speaking missions, graduate from BYU, and begin their adult lives—Daniel marrying Bella Smith in the Mount Timpanogos Temple, Robbie launching his first business, and Daniel entering Columbia Law School.

Despite two battles with cancer, Sally remained known for her radiant smile, playful and mischievous sense of humor, and deep compassion for others. A true Latino mother, she was always concerned that her husband and sons had eaten. She offered immediate help and comfort to anyone in need and left a lasting legacy of leadership, service, and joy that will continue to inspire her family and friends. She is survived by her husband Brian, her sons Daniel and Robbie, and her extended family.