CHAVEZ, Yolanda

Copper Basin News, Arizona 09/02/04 Yolanda Castro Chavez was born in Angostura, Sinaloa, Mexico on March 30, 1928 to Frederico and Rosario Villarreal Castro. She came to Arizona as a small child and soon her sisters Bernice and Belia were born to the family. Her father returned to Mexico during the Great Depression and soon passed away. Her mother continued to raise Yolanda and her sisters in Superior and supported the family by running boarding houses for the area miners. Yolanda’s mother realized that having integrity, high moral values and an education were instrumental in being successful and these virtues became her prime focus while raising her daughters. She taught them to work hard and strive to achieve in all that they could. As a young girl Yolanda became a waitress at Martin’s Cafe. She saved all she earned to help pay for a college education. While her mother baked pies, cakes and other pastries to put her daughters through college, Yolanda continued to work hard and soon earned a degree from Arizona State College. After graduation she began her teaching career in the Ray-Sonora schools. She was given rides to work by Mr. Martinez the Rainbow Bakery delivery man. He’d take her along with him on his route then pick her up on his way home. After this she began teaching in Superior where she continued until her retirement in 1988. During her teaching career she touched many lives. She had exceptional insight to the problems that her students might have. She loved having the students put on plays, skits and various programs to help them build their self-esteem. In the early 1960’s Yolanda was asked to become the first special education teacher for the district. She agreed and her classroom assignment was a small corner of the Roosevelt School Auditorium. Her students were children of various ages with different degrees of special needs. She was dedicated to these children and was determined to help them reach their full potential. This dedication was the standard that applied to everything Yolanda did, whether as a teacher, a cub scout den mother, a little league volunteer or Girl Scout leader just to name a few. She enjoyed helping the youth of the community and encouraged them to always try their best and go after their dreams. Yolanda married her childhood sweetheart, Raymond “Poncho” Chavez on June 29, 1952 and celebrated their 50th anniversary on June 29,2002. On Dec. 23, 1953 she gave birth to her son, Roy. On Sept. 2, 1958 her daughter Kimberley was born. Yolanda was a devoted wife and mother and instilled her quality of determination on her children and then her grandchildren. Yolanda was a life long member of the Presbyterian Church. Among other accomplishments Yolanda was an officer in the Club Social de Damas, a member of the AEA and NEA and Tri Sigma Sorority. She was also a member of the VFW auxiliary and founder of the Superior Folklorico Dance Group. She was also a volunteer at the Hayden Public Library preschool and the Hayden-Winkelman School District preschool. She loved the outdoors and her favorite pastimes included gardening, sewing and crafts. Closest to her heart was family, and after retirement, she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. After fighting a 45-year battle with rheumatoid arthritis, Yolanda went to rest with the Lord on August 23, 2004 at her home surrounded by her loving family. Left behind in loving memory are her husband, Raymond E. Chavez of Superior; son, Roy C. Chavez of Superior; daughter, Kimberley A. Byrd and husband, Jesse, of Dudleyville; sister Belia C. Cruz and husband, Bob, of Las Vegas; and grandchildren, John E. Lopez II, Marisa R. Lopez, Samantha L. Byrd and Luke J. Byrd, all of Dudleyville, Jesse W. Byrd of Murphy, TX, Andrea “Tinky” Cruz and Joshua Cruz, both of Superior. Memorials in Mrs. Chavez’ memory were suggested to The Arthritis Foundation, 1313 E. Osborn #200, Phoenix, AZ 85014, Phone 800-477-7679. Visitation and funeral services were held Thursday, Aug. 26, at the Superior Presbyterian Church. Reverend Charlsie Ramsey conducted the services. Interment followed at Superior Fairview Cemetery. Funeral arrangements for Mrs. Chavez were entrusted to Miles Funeral Services, Globe.