Yvonne C. Starr

Yvonne Curtis StarrJoy and woe are woven fineA clothing for the soul divineUnder every grief and pineRuns a joy with silken twineIt is right it should be soMan was made for joy and woeAnd when this we rightly knowThrough the world we safely go. Our beloved mother came into the world on a spring day, April 23, 1929 in Rochester New York. She was christened Yvonne Mae Curtis. Her parents George Henry Curtis and Evelyn Katherine presented a new baby girl to her brother, Richard, only 2 years older. Before the Depression of 1929, extended family members were very much apart of Yvonne and Richard’s early childhood years. In an accident, their father had a serious injury that resulted in his being bedridden and later losing his leg. Changes in the family and relatives occurred and she with her father and new step mother and new younger step-brother, Theodore traveled across the country in cars, in a 20th century wagon train. In 1940, they began their new life, supplanting themselves in San Diego, California. When our dear mother was eleven years old, she started having many pets and all her clan gardened, which was a necessary activity for those who suffered the lack of plenty during those years. She and her family ranched out near Sweetwater Lake and there she met her closest friend throughout her life, Thelma Brown, who later became Thelma Arnout. When World War II came, she and Thelma helped in the USO. She met her husband Donald Thomas Starr on a blind date, following the war and on the Winter Solstice Day with all the Christmas singing, they were wedded and both worked. When life was better, they began their years raising their children. First a daughter named Donna Yvonne came, followed by another daughter named Susan Elizabeth. Their hopes for a son came three and a half years later and he was named Donald Curtis. These were very busy years, with lots of family vacations, camping and traveling in a little trailer. We were an adventurous family and we moved out to then Sunnyside, in 1961. A love of nature took us to the sea and on a 26’ Thunderbird sailboat. We sailed to Catalina Island for vacation. Once her children were happy with all their activities and school friends, she went back to school and became an Interior Decorator working in private homes and for contractors. Always, she and her husband abided in homes around Bonita, not far from their Sunnyside family years. She then in the 1980’s obtained her Real Estate License and later a Broker’s License, taking courses at Southwestern College. It was during these years that she discovered the love of singing and was singing in large choirs and California Note Catchers to raise money for the then budget cuts that were happening in schools, reducing music programs. She auditioned and was accepted into the Southwestern College Choir, where along with her Real Estate work, she enjoyed the hobby of singing. She held many family reunions in her home and we all gathered around her player piano to sing. As her home in the Bonita Highlands became too large, and large family reunions with her own relatives from childhood and nieces and nephews all over the country involved in their lives, it was no longer necessary to live in such a big home. She retired and for health reasons moved to Fredricka Manor in Chula Vista, where she happily fulfilled her remaining years in a warm social community, singing in their choir and overseeing the Monday Night Sing a-long around her Player Piano, that came along with her. She began to not feel well and, still being courageous, she tried not to worry those who loved her. On December 1, 2009 after a short stay in Sharps Memorial Hospital, she peacefully left this world. Autumn leaves were still on the trees, softly waving good-bye as she passed by. Her beloved mountain, San Miguel that she abided around and near for seven decades could be seen from her hospital window. She loved nature and our gratitude to all her friends, and family members who have enjoyed sharing this beloved beauty with her. She graced so many lives. Her three children were with her in her final hours. Hers was a life well lived and we will miss her.