Marion Alexine "Pansy" Yturria Kimbro

Pansy - the enchanting, witty and always ahead of her time mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother - passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family at the age of 96 on Monday, February 6, 2023.

Pansy was always one to make an entrance wherever she went, and her birth was no exception. On August 18, 1926, Pansy was born at home in Brownsville, Texas to proud parents Fausto Yturria, Sr. and Marion Alexander Yturria. Upon helping deliver her, the midwife remarked that there were “pansies” in her eyes, and thus a name and a star was born. Pansy was known to all as the life of the party and one to always regale with stories of far away lands and exotic travels.

While living in Brownsville, Pansy dreamed of traveling the world and getting to see much more than the South Texas ranch lands. Upon graduating from Brownsville High School in 1942, her life adventures would begin, as she headed off to the nation’s capital to attend junior college at Chevy Chase Junior College in Maryland. Pansy loved telling stories of her time at Chevy Chase. As she stated, “I was too ugly to be the prettiest one, so instead I chose to be the funniest” - and while her own self-criticism was without merit, there was certainly no one with more wit and charm.

Upon graduating from Chevy Chase, Pansy enrolled at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, where she obtained her B.A. in English Literature - which degree she always put to good use correcting anyone who dared end a sentence in a preposition. While at SMU, Pansy joined the Beta Sigma chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta.

After graduating from SMU, Pansy accompanied her sister-in-law and family in their relocation to the Philippines. Once in the Philippines, she used the opportunity to start her lifelong journey traveling the world along with her lifelong friend, Frances Heard Billups. While this was very much an unsanctioned trip, Pansy’s parents didn’t have much choice but to pick up the tab as she left IOUs from country to country, only sending word back home when she was off to the next place.

She used her charms and smart tongue to explore Southeast Asia, and even charmed the famous Danny Kaye to show her around Hong Kong when she serendipitously ran into him on a night out.

Outside of her love of travel, Pansy’s great love was dance. Anyone who knew Pansy was lucky enough to be enthralled by stories of her days dancing the mambo in the border town of Matamoros. Pansy and her dance partner, Lalo Garibai, would put on the most spectacular shows at The Drive-Inn, a dance club in Matamoros. That love for dance led to a lifelong support of the arts. Pansy was a strong supporter of the Majestic Theatre and anything that had to do with the arts. She served on the boards of CTRC, Southwest School of Art and Craft, the Alameda, the Josephine Theatre, Ecumenical Center, and on the President’s Council for UTHSCSA. She worked with the San Antonio Symphony, Arts San Antonio, the Junior League, SAMA, the McNay, Las Casas Foundation and the Majestic Theatre. She was a member of the Argyle, the San Antonio Country Club, Club Giraud, Pilon Club, Monte Vista Garden Club, and Fiesta San Antonio Commission.

Pansy is preceded in death by both her parents, her older brother, Frank D. Yturria, and both her husbands, Ray Smith and Dr. Robert Kimbro.

Pansy is survived by her three children, Leonor Smith Zacarias and her husband Sergio, Ray Smith Jr. and his wife Maricruz, and Cassandra Smith. She is also survived by her seven grandchildren: Alia Zacarias, Alexine Friedman (Daniel), Asha Shapiro (Ian), Emilio Zacarias (Fernanda), and Mariana, Bruno, and Cecilia Smith. She was also delighted to have four great grandchildren, Ansley Zalusky, Nico Friedman, Raya Shapiro and Santiago Friedman. Pansy is also survived by her brother, Fausto Yturria Jr.

The family wants to thank the devoted staff at VITAS hospice for all their care and support. There are no words to show our appreciation. Also very special thanks to Veronica Rios, Maria and Jesus Dominguez, Silvia Morales, Laura Rincon, Armando Bello, and all her staff that has provided such loving care throughout the years.

Pansy was a wonderful daughter, wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great grandmother and friend and will be missed by all.

Pansy’s personality and humor would light up any room! She believed that making people laugh and smile would cure the world. As such, the family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the San Antonio Philharmonic, the Josephine Theatre or the charity of your choice.

On Wednesday, March 15, 2023 from 2 to 5 p.m. there will be a reception to celebrate Pansy’s life at Club Giraud, 707 N St Mary’s St. San Antonio, TX 78205. The family looks forward to seeing family and friends at that time