Violet Lucille Steiner

April 2, 1928 - May 29, 2022

Born in Los Angeles to Russian immigrant parents, Violet was the only child of the late Sam and Olga Yawitz. Her early years were very much shaped by the Depression, with the family having moved several times to cities as spread out as Redlands, Yuma, Broken Bow, OK, and Philadelphia. They eventually returned to L.A. in 1934. Violet graduated from L.A. High School in 1946 and USC in 1950, with a B.A. in Art.

In 1943, she met her future husband, Joseph B. Steiner (Jerry), while his family was visiting from Chicago. That began seven years of letter writing and occasional visits until they married in 1950. They spent the first five years of their marriage in Chicago, and moved back to California in 1955. They settled in Gardena in 1956 and in 1976 moved to Torrance. Jerry and Violet were married for 53 years, until Jerry's death in 2003.

In the early ‘70s, Violet decided to go back to work, first as a secretary at West Athens Elementary School in L.A., and later as an art teacher, having earned her teaching credential and her M.A. degree in Art from CSU Long Beach. Upon completing her studies, she taught Art for the Los Angeles Unified School District at Gage Middle School in Huntington Park, retiring in 1998. She was beloved by her students and enjoyed her years in the classroom.

Along with being the most wonderful mother, Violet had many interests and was a woman of many talents. She was a very fine artist and painter, loved all animals, music of all genres, gardening, sewing, and socializing with her neighbors.

Violet was predeceased by husband, Jerry, and son, Matt, and is survived by her daughter, Jann (David Hanna), son, Marc (Crystal Colonna-Steiner), daughter-in-law, Heidi Inouye Steiner, ten grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

The family would like to offer special thanks to Jane Porter of Grace and Glory Hospice in Antioch, CA, and appreciation for the loving care provided by Nora, Rose, and all the staff at A Ohana Home for Seniors in Concord, CA.