LETTY MORRISSETTE

Mueller's Greenlee Funeral Home

Letty Morrissette was born January 11, 1955, in San Antonio, Texas, to Salvador and Olivia Mendoza. Her husband Mark proposed marriage to Letty on February 14, 1976, and she passed away 35 years later, on February 14, 2011, at the Tri-Cities Chaplaincy Hospice House.

Letty graduated from Touchet High School in 1973. She then attended Central Washington University from September of 1973- December 1977. She graduated with her BA in Education with a major in Spanish and a minor in psychology. She was on the varsity track team at Central. She joined the Teacher Corp Cadre of fellow professionals in August of 1978 and obtained her Educational 'Masters Degree from WSU in 1979. Through Teacher Corp she gained valuable teaching experience and was highly recommended to the Pasco School District for her strong Bilingual and instructional skills. Letty earned her credentials in Educational Administration from WSU in 1994.

She worked for the Pasco School District for over 31 years. Letty began working for the Pasco School District during 1976 as a Title 1 Migrant Aide at Pasco High School. Her first teaching experience for the PSD began at Captain Gray in the fall of 1979 as the Migrant Resource Room Teacher. Her principal was Tom Brandon. She served students in grades 3-6 in math, reading and ESL. In 1982, she moved to James McGee Elementary School to continue her work with migrant students. At McGee she was a Migrant Resource Room Teacher, head teacher, and in 1995 became a Reading Recovery teacher. It was during her time at McGee that she completed her Administrative Certification. She was then hired as an Assistant Principal at McGee working alongside Terry Atwood. She served as the Summer School Administrator at McGee for several years, as well. In 2000, she became the building facilitator as well as Assistant Principal. She continued to serve the Pasco School District in this role at Ruth Livingston Elementary, Maya Angelou Elementary, Virgie Robinson Elementary and then returned to Ruth Livingston Elementary in the fall of 2010. While at Maya Angelou Elementary Letty became the first Dual Language Facilitator for that program.

Letty devoted her life to educating children. Some of the words used to describe her over the years have been: dedicated, dependable, energetic, efficient, flexible, caring, student centered, organized, passionate, and willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done! She enjoyed traveling with her family, going on cruises and especially trips to Disneyland and the Oregon Coast. She also enjoyed walking and bike riding. Letty was an avid Husky fan.

Letty is survived at home by her husband Mark of 35 years; sons, Dennis, Andrew and Joseph all of Bellevue, Washington; her mother, Olivia Mendoza of College Place, WA; Tina & Vincent Gomez of Touchet, Salvador & Maria Mendoza of Pasco, Manuel Mendoza of Lowden, Joe & Diane Mendoza of Kennewick, Blanche & Paul Richardson of Lakeland, Georgia; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Letty was preceded in death by her father Salvador Mendoza (1977), and her brother, Tony Mendoza (1991).

We would like to thank Doctor Weeks, Doctor Haque, Doctor Cooper, Doctor Lin and nurses Laila and Hanane.

Visitation will be held Thursday, February 17, 2011, from 3-5:00 p.m. at Mueller's Greenlee Funeral Home, and Friday, February 18, from 4-8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. The Rosary will be Friday at 6:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, February 19, 2011, at 10:15 a.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, with burial to follow at City View Cemetery.

At your choosing, flowers will be welcomed, or please make a donation to St. Patrick's Religious Education Fund, 1320 W. Henry, Pasco, WA 99301; or Tri-Cities Cancer Center, 7350 W. Deschutes Ave. Kennewick, WA 99336; or Hospice at the Chaplaincy, 2108 W. Entiat Kennewick, WA 99336.

The family invites you to sign their on-line guest book at www.muellersfuneralhomes.com.

Mueller's Greenlee Funeral Home in Pasco is in charge of the arrangements.