Lucia Alejandra Yandell

Lucia Alejandra Yandell (Bennett) passed away peacefully on February 15, 2022, after a hard-fought battle against lung cancer-mesothelioma. A lifelong resident of San Diego, she was the oldest of six children born to the late Lucia Reyes Bennett and Francis B. Bennett. She was known to her family as “Cece”. She was a kindhearted, lovely soul who made this world a better place.

When Lucia was born on October 25, 1956, both her parents were serving in the United States Navy. The family eventually settled in Clairemont. She attended Toler Elementary School, Whittier Junior High and graduated from Clairemont High School in 1974. Lucia excelled in academics throughout her education. She completed her senior year of high school by taking college courses at the University of San Diego. Lucia also enjoyed athletics and was a member of the Field Hockey Team at Clairemont High School.

Lucia continued her studies at the University of California, San Diego, Revelle College. She graduated in 1978 with a double major in Literature and Applied Physics with Information Science, specializing in Computer Science, and a minor in Mathematics, with Cum Laude distinction. Lucia went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Computer Science in 1980 at UCSD. As a graduate student, Lucia was part of the team lead by Ken Bowles which wrote “UCSD Pascal”, the most popular language used by the P-System in the early days of personal computers. Her last degree, masters in religious studies, was accomplished later in life.

On January 6, 2022, Lucia retired from Northrop Grumman Space & Mission Systems Corp. Her career spanned 33 years. She worked at Northrup Grumman as well as legacy corporations TRW, Logicon and Syscon. Her colleagues at Northrop Grumman report “Lucia was a Mission Assurance Engineer of the highest caliber, ensuring the quality of product going to the men and women in our armed forces. She was also a Six Sigma Black Belt, leading efforts to improve processes and operational efficiency. She was a tremendous listener, always considering the positions of all parties when moving to establish consensus and a path forward.” Lucia was described as a true Quality Professional, facing every challenge with calm resolution. “More importantly, she had a sweet soul, and she was a dear friend.”

Whether working or taking a break, Lucia truly inherited her parents love to travel the world. It didn’t matter if she was traveling to Seattle, Syracuse, NY, Dallas, Washtington D.C., Canada, Beligium, France, or Spain, her sense of adventure was always there. At times, she traveled by herself, sometimes with others, but she always had a wonderful time exploring and uncovering what the world had to show her.

On November 11, 2000, Lucia married the love of her life, Brad Yandell. The two shared many happy years of marriage. This November would have been their twenty-second wedding anniversary. Lucia and Brad loved to travel, going to such places as England, Italy, the Holy Land, and the grand tour of the California missions. Their last great adventure occurred in August 2017, when they drove across this country to visit relatives and to witness the “Great American Eclipse”. This total eclipse of the sun occurred on August 21, 2017.

Lucia was very devoted to her church and gave back threefold with her God-given gifts. She loved music in all realms and served in her earlier years, as a member of the Immaculata Choir and Bell Ensemble. More recently, she was a cantor at the San Diego Mission de Alcalá. She was a lifelong member of the Immaculata Parish where she was a coordinator of the parish picnics in the early formative years, was a member of the Ladies of the Immaculata, a frequent contributor to the parish bulletin, and volunteered as a tour guide to welcome new parishoners to her loving parish. Despite her failing health, she continued to share her faith by assisting her niece Ella, in preparation for her Confirmation. She was to be Ella’s Confirmation Sponsor.

In her spare time, she enjoyed her annual entry into the San Diego County Fair Competitions for Spam based dishes and jam competitions. She loved to bake recipes her grandmother had taught her, including Irish Soda Bread and Scones. And her last greatest joy: “Electronic Family Jeopardy”.

We are grateful to have had her in our lives and to have loved her. She is gone too soon but will live forever in our hearts. Lucia is survived by her beloved husband Brad Yandell, her siblings, Brigid Ann Bennett, Mercedes Bennett, Josephine Bennett, Monica Bennett, Francis Bennett II, her sister-in-law Diane McCullough Bennett, her niece Ella J. Bennett, and nephew, Francis Bennett III.

Pacific Beach Mortuary will be handling the arrangements.

Viewing/Rosary Service will be held at the Immaculata Parish, 5998 Alcala Park, San Diego, CA 92110, on March 17, 4-7 pm.

Funeral Service will be held at the Immaculata Parish, on March 18, at 10:00 am. Burial to follow at Holy Cross Cemetary, 4470 Hilltop Dr, San Diego, CA 92102.

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation to one of Lucia’s favorite charities:

1. The Immaculata, 5998 Alcala Park, San Diego, CA 92110

2. Catholic Charities, P.O. Box 121831, San Diego, CA 92112

3. Noah Homes, 12526 Campo Rd, Spring Valley CA 91978

For more information, please visit Pacific Beach Mortuary website: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/funeral-homes/san-diego-ca/pacific-beach-la-jolla-chapel/9560

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.pacificbeachchapel.com for the Yandell family.