Margaret Yama

Margaret Yama passed away peacefully into the arms of the Lord on Monday, December 6, 2010. Her baby sister, Monica, was by her side. Margaret was born on November 3, 1930, to Guadalupe and Catalina Valencia, and was raised in Reedley, California. On April 23, 1950, Margaret married Alfred Yama and together they raised four children.

Margaret graduated from Reedley High School in 1948, attended Reedley College, Four C's Commercial College. She was an executive and legal secretary for many years and was named the 1962 Secretary of the Year. She began working at Valley Nitrogen Producers in 1959, and eventually became Vice President. Thereafter, she was the broker and owner of Central Valley Properties and Real Estate Investments, and before retiring in 1995, she was a partner in Rancho Caborca, an asparagus farming business.

Margaret traveled around the world several times visiting 35 different countries during her tenure at Valley Nitrogen. She was a hard working business woman with a desire to achieve, making many, many friends throughout her career. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Margaret was a Past State Regent of the California Catholic Daughters of America, 1978-1980. She was also President of the Board of Directors of Madonna Manor, a retirement home owned by the Catholic Daughters of America. Margaret was always on a Board whether it be the PTA, Board of Realtors, Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, or various positions within the Catholic Daughters of America both at the state and national levels.

Margaret was very proud of her family. She was a loving and caring wife and mother. She was always generous with her time, always encouraging people and ready to help and give whenever she could.

The family would like to extend their appreciation to Hinds Hospice for their compassion and support during her final days.

Margaret was preceded in death seven months ago by her beloved husband, Alfred. Also preceding Margaret in death were her parents; her son, David A. Yama; daughter-in-law, Emma-Jane Yama; and her sisters, Lupe Mendoza and Frances Ulibarri.

She is survived by her children, Patrick Yama, Aileen Plumlee, and Elaine Yama and her husband Andy Garcia. She leaves behind her sisters, Josephine Zavala and her husband Ruben of Reedley, Rachel Caldera of Sanger, and Monica Garcia and her husband Joe of Fresno; her grandchildren, Lindsey Scaringe and her husband Matt, David J. Yama, Mark Arretche and his wife Jana, Jerrad Plumlee, Sarah Yama, Charles Yama, Bobby Yama, Eloise Yama, Andrew Garcia and Erica Garcia; her great-grandson, Matthew Masdonati; and many loved nephews and nieces.

Visitation will be held at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home on Tuesday, December 14, 2010, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Recitation of the Holy Rosary will follow at Holy Spirit Catholic Church at 7:00 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church on Wednesday, December 15, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. Interment to follow at St. Peter's Cemetery.