Sara Cristi

Yayita, our cherished aunt, friend, and godmother, was a guiding light in our lives, inspiring us until her final moments. She entered into eternal rest on June 23, 2025, in California, after a brief yet brave battle with metastatic cancer, at the age of 88.

Born in Chile in 1937, Yayita completed her studies at the Calasanz Institute Daughters of the Divine Shepherdesses of Santiago (Divina Pastora). She was briefly married to Eugenio Ortiz, an attorney and nephew of the renowned Chilean racing champion Bartolomé Ortiz Sanz.

In the 1970s, after experiencing the profound losses of her father and newborn daughter, María del Pilar, and going through a divorce and the closure of her beloved coffee shop, La Gallina, she made the courageous decision to immigrate to California to reunite with her mother and siblings.

Yayita established a trade college in Los Angeles with unwavering resilience and dedication, collaborating closely with the Department of Education. Through her efforts, she empowered countless individuals with valuable new vocational skills, leaving a lasting impact on her community.

Yayita was a true beacon of faith, wisdom, and compassion—always ready with a listening ear and a helping hand. She frequently opened her door and heart to family and friends. Her warmth and strength enriched the lives of those around her, especially her many nieces and nephews and the friends she held so dear.

She is survived by her youngest sister (81), two older brothers (90 and 93), numerous grandnieces and grandnephews, and a wide circle of friends across the globe who will forever carry her memory in their hearts.

Celebration of Life

📅 Date: Monday, August 25, 2025

🕙 Time: 10:30 AM

📍 Location: St. Joseph Catholic Church, 717 N. Bradford Ave, Placentia, CA

We warmly invite all whose lives were touched by Yayita—family, friends, former students, and colleagues—to join us for a heartfelt service of remembrance and thanksgiving.

Yayita’s extraordinary legacy lives on in every life she uplifted. We graciously invite you to honor her memory by sharing your stories, offering prayers, and embracing the hope she passionately carried.

May she now rest in eternal peace, surrounded by love.