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LORI YARRISH Obituary
LORI D. WESLEY YARRISH (Age 58)
Lori Diane Yarrish, of Silver Spring, MD, peacefully transitioned into eternal rest on Monday, August 6, 2018, surrounded by her adoring family. She was the director of the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum, Washington, DC. She will be forever cherished by her daughter, Laila Yarrish; mother, Myra King; brother, Brian Wesley (Diane); and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives and friends. A celebration of her life will commence on Friday, August 17, 2018, at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, 1636 E. Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20003. Visitation: 9 a.m., Service: 11 a.m. She will be laid to rest at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery, Suitland, MD.www.mcguire-services.com
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Memories and Condolences
for LORI YARRISH
Jenelle Cooper-Rice
August 6, 2025
Still remembering your larger-than-life presence. Your high-pitched hellos let me know that you were in the building. You are sorely missed by all of the ACM family. Thank you for your support and belief in me! Love U4 Life!
Stacey Wells
August 6, 2023
Lori just wanted to drop a few words how much I miss you then and still. Five years in counting you went home keep resting peacefully angel. The Wells SECC
Stacey Wells
August 6, 2022
Lori today mark 4 years since you went home to be with the lord. Missing your smile and words of encouragement. Every time I pass Natural History I think and see your bright smile when we will drop our baby off a childcare. RIHP angel.
Stacey Wells
August 6, 2021
3yrs later, still missing you. RIP Forever missed.
Stacey Wells
August 6, 2020
Lori two years later, its still hard. I can hear your laugh and running up to give me a hug. Laila I wish you much comfort today and always. Continue to RIHP
Stacey Wells
August 6, 2019
Its been a whole year and its still surreal that you are not here in the presence. I will forever miss you so very much. Until we meet again Rest In Perfect Peace angel.
Lisa Johnson-Willingham
August 31, 2018
My heartfelt condolences to the entire family. Wishing you peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead, and loving memories in your hearts and minds to strengthen you.
Shawn (aka Sean Patrick) Dowling
August 21, 2018
Lori, I only recently learned you were not well and just today learned you had passed on when your daughter came in to pick Izzy up. I remember well the day we first met, it must have been over 13 years ago and you had just brought Izzy into your home and made her a member of the family. I only remember this so well because I knew immediately you were a very special and kind woman.
Your smile, your VOICE and your laughter that you gave away freely were music to my ears and although Izzy was (is still lol) a terror to groom I was always happy to see your name in my appointment book. To your family I send my most sincere condolences. Thank You for ....everything Lori
Jocelyn Maclin-Barnwell
August 18, 2018
Dear Myra,
Do know that our God who gave you the gift of your daughter will give you the grace, mercy and strength to sustain you.
I love you, my friend.
Cherri and Laila Holland
August 18, 2018
Dear Laila,
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family during this very difficult time of loss. Lori will truly be missed at the New School of Dance & Arts.
Sandy Lanier-Thompson
August 18, 2018
My condolences to the family. Stay strong God is with you always. Praying for you all.
Bernardine Evans
August 17, 2018
Lori,
You always brightened my day! I don't think I ever passed you by without a BIG HUG and a greeting. I wish we could sit outside waiting for our daughters to finish ballet lessons just one more time. What I would give for that. Love you soooooo much! See you on the other side. I'll be expecting that hug when I get there.
Laila my condolences to you!
BSE
Tonya McCullough
August 17, 2018
Myra -- May the Lord bless you and your family during this time of grief, and the outpouring of love surrounding you bring comfort. Praying for you all.
Cori Gaskins
August 17, 2018
Rest Peacefully Soror. You were one of my first encounters with Delta (being your number for "a minute") and what a sweet encounter it was. Was ALWAYS happy to see you whenever you'd visit us. Was proud to become your Soror! May God wrap his loving arms around your family and friends. The world is just a little dimmer with you not in it because you were such a beautiful person!
Lovingly,
Soror Cori Gaskins
Hope Collier
August 17, 2018
Sending open arms and love to the family! I'm sooo deeply going to miss her. Her bold warm hearted voice when I would surprise her in her office! The love that she shared with family and I, since I was a baby. Her laughs and upbeat spirit will forever live on in my heart. I send the family and Laila my condolences and prayers.
Trudy Thompson
August 17, 2018
Death leaves a heartache no one can heal. Loves leave a memory. My deepest condolences to your family.
Trudy
Lynn B. Welters
August 17, 2018
Laila we are sending prayers and angels to watch over you - we all miss your Beautiful Mom Lori Yarrish - Lynn & Raigan Welters, Lisa & Quincy, Shakeyua Hines, and all students and staff at New School of Dance & Arts
Lynn B. Welters
August 16, 2018
Dear Myra King, and Laila Elizabeth -
We Celebrate the life and memory of your precious Lori Yarrish. She was our friend and our mentor - all of us will always stand in the bright light that she always cast on the families, students, and staff of the New School of Dance & Arts - Rest in Glory
Dear Laila and Myra King, All of your friends and teachers from the New School of Dance & Arts are sending Prayers and Sincere Condolences
Lynn B. Welters
August 16, 2018
Diana N'Diaye
August 16, 2018
Proud to be a part of Lori's circle of friends and Smithsonian Family. Her positive, vibrant energy and her important work, her humanity, and that brilliant smile will always be remembered.
In Celebration with Friends and Staff from the New School of Dance & Arts with wonderful memories of Lori Yarrish
Lynn B. Welters
August 16, 2018
Patsy Edmonds
August 16, 2018
Myra,
Sending love and prayers to you and the rest of your family. May God keep you in his care.
Brenda White
August 16, 2018
Myra, so very sorry to hear about Lori. I will always remember her wonderful personality and that beautiful smile. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
August 16, 2018
Condolences and prayers as your celebrate Lori's life and legacy.
Leroy Nesbitt
Freida Austin Johnson, Former Asst. Dir., SI Experimental Gallery
August 15, 2018
Heartfelt and sincere condolences are sent to your family, as Lori ascends to join other beautiful angels.
Lori was my colleague and friend. Although serious about our work, we found time for a sandwich time and again. Hearty laughter was shared. She will be truly missed by many. Prayers go up for all of you.
Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum director, Lori Yarrish, 2nd from right, hosts Cultural DC's Mobile Art Gallery Kick-Off Saturday April 28, 2018
Sharon Farmer
August 15, 2018
Lori was a shephard of hard work, grace, and wit. Her laughter always signified how bright she could see all sides of our communities.
Joan Prince
August 15, 2018
To Ceci's Aunt Myra and family: My prayers, hugs, and kisses are coming your way from Wisconsin. May God hold you in his arms and comfort you. Heaven has received a new angel to watch over you and Laila. She will be sorely missed.
August 14, 2018
Family, we are heartbroken to hear of this. Our hearts and prayers go out to you Myra, Laila and the rest of the Family. We love you. Sheila, Sean and Shamel Burns.
Melissa Schutte
August 14, 2018
Dear Laila and Myra - we are deeply saddened to learn of Lori's passing. When we think of her, we remember her smile and warm personality. She was such an amazing person and we feel blessed to have crossed paths with her and your family. Please know that we will keep you in our prayers as you move through this difficult time.
In love and friendship,
Melissa Schutte, Eric Lundell, Ava Lundell, Grace Lundell
Jenelle Coooper
August 14, 2018
My heart is broken into many pieces as I try to grapple with the loss of an outstanding leader and friend. Prayers are being lifted in behalf of her wonderful family.
P. Jafari
August 14, 2018
Blessings be with the family of Soror Lori. A great leader. It was a blessing to know her kindness. My prayers are with you all.
August 13, 2018
Very sorry for your loss and grief; may the promise at John 6:40 give you comfort and peace.
Monique Clark
August 13, 2018
My sincere condolences on the loss of Lori to her family and friends. May she rest in peace.
Mrs. Monique J. H. Clark
Contract Specialist
Smithsonian Institution
Office of Contracting & Personal
Stacey Wells
August 13, 2018
Laila sorry for the passing of your mom. Lori was a beautiful person, her smile and friendly personality was a blessing to all who met her. In every meaningful way, Lori was a gracious person whom I met while working for Smithsonian and my son and Laila attended SEEC. We will miss you terribly, and be forever grateful for having known you. Fly high Angel. Stacey, Kevon and William Wells
Diane Johnson Lomas
August 13, 2018
To Ceci's Aunt Myrathinking of you and the entire family during this difficult time. ....joy does come in the morning. My prayers are with you.
August 13, 2018
Myra and family, Pleas accept my sincere condolences for the passing of Lori. My thoughts and prayers are with you..
Mary Dennis
August 12, 2018
Myra, I'm so sorry to hear of Lori's transition into her eternal life. Praying for comfort for the family. She was such a beautiful person.
Kathleen (Stack) Williams
August 12, 2018
Myra, I am so sad to hear of Lori's passing. Thinking of you and your family at this time and always. May she Rest In Peace.
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McGuire Funeral Service, Inc.7400 Georgia Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20012
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