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Yolanda Smith Obituary

June 28, 1929 - October 3, 2015 Yolanda ("Mom") died peacefully of natural causes on October 3rd 2015, surrounded by her children. Yolanda was born in Los Angeles, California on June 28, 1929. She lived in the Los Angles community her entire life. Yolanda's parents, Joe Ramiro and Conception Berumen Ruata, immigrated to the US from Mexico. Yolanda has been a resident in the Hollywood Hills for 52 years, where she had lived with her beloved husband, Thomas Francis Smith. Yolanda was passionate about child advocacy. She had an exceptionally deep commitment to supporting the academic advancement of socioeconomically disadvantaged, inner-city middle and high school students. Yolanda earned an Associate of Arts degree from Los Angeles Community College (1964), a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish from the University of California at Los Angeles (1966), and Masters degree in Education from Pepperdine University (1985). Yolanda worked over the course of 42 years with the Los Angeles Unified School District, where she taught Spanish as a middle- and high school instructor. Yolanda also served as a counselor, an assistant principal, a principal and area assistant superintendent. She also was a committed principal mentor. In addition, Yolanda taught Spanish language instruction at UCLA's teacher credential program, as well serving as a Spanish and English instructor with the Los Angeles Community College District. Yolanda was an inspiration to many teaching and administrative colleagues across the Los Angeles Unified School District. Her retirement party filled the Kodak Theatre with friends and colleagues who's expressed such gratitude for her caring, and inspirational mentoring which she gave freely with kindness and love. Yolanda was also a certificated Spanish-English translator. In retirement Yolanda served as a volunteer at the Cedars Sinai Medical Center, supporting the hospital's Catholic ministry to critically ill patients. Yolanda is survived by her children Mark Garcia, Denise Connell, and Yvette Harris; and by step-children David Smith, Candida Smith, Priscilla Thompson, Matthew Smith, and Theresa Martin. She was pre-deceased by her husband Thomas Francis Smith and her sons; Ronald Garcia and Tommy Smith. She is also survived by twenty grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. All of the surviving family members emulate Yolanda with compassion for the less fortunate and a passion for intellectual, artistic and spiritual enrichment.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Los Angeles Times from Oct. 6 to Oct. 7, 2015.

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4 Entries

Ana Marie Albert

December 6, 2019

Mrs. Smith hired me as an outreach consultant and resource specialist at El Sereno Junior High School. She was a wonderful principal, always fair, and caring. I always felt supported by her and enjoyed our chats on various topics. She was a lovely, classy person. The last time I saw her was at her retirement party. I will always remember her.

Eva Garcia

October 2, 2019

I think about Yolanda often and still miss her. I remember the advice she gave me and how she handled herself during parent meetings. They loved her because of her beautiful Spanish and the jokes she would share. I loved her because I felt that she really cared about the students and everyone that she supervised. I loved her because I felt she cared about me too!

Valerie Estvan

November 2, 2015

"This final day of El Dia de Los Muertas, we remember Yolanda fondly with continued prayers for peace in the hearts of her family. We always enjoyed her bright and witty sense of fun, along with her laughter. We admired her for her strength, passion and fierce loyalty to family and loved ones in her community. She was a very powerful individual who truly touched the lives of many. We were saddened by her passing but know that she and Tomas are carrying on with the Lord while watching us all here. With love, the Estvans."

Eva Garcia

October 8, 2015

Yolanda was not only my boss for four years but like a mother to me. She was caring and gave very good advice. I will miss her laughter, smile and humor. My favorite joke was the one of the monkey in a bar. I loved when she told that joke. Her eyes had a sparkle when she spoke about Tomas and her family. She touched my life in a way that only few have done.

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