Yolanda Perez

Perez, Yolanda, a 56 year resident of the South Bay, passed away on Wednesday, August 31, 2011 in Torrance. Born in El Paso, TX, Yolanda was 74 when she died. Yolanda was a member of St. Philomena Catholic Church in Carson. Yolanda earned her Associates degree of Arts at Los Angeles Harbor College. A Head Start Teacher for over two decades, Yolanda was well known among the community for her love of providing open arms for all those in need. Yolanda helped countless individuals from Mexico settle into the Los Angeles area. Her love was also shown in her passion of cooking authentic Mexican cuisine. Yolanda always prepared a feast at her house to ensure that anyone who visited her house would not leave hungry. Yolanda is survived by her son, Charles (Jill) Grimm of Carson, CA; daughter, Rita (Wynn) Regner of Carson, CA; son, Richard Martinez (Luis Lopez) of Cathedral City, CA; son, Gilbert (Elaine) Martinez of Las Vegas, NV; daughter, Leticia Perez (Otis Hall) of Manhattan Beach, CA; son, Michael (Dolores) Perez of Murrieta, CA; son, Gabriel Perez of Carson, CA; sister, Alicia Chavez of El Paso, TX; sister, Maria Elena Fosmo of Lomita, CA; 9 grandchildren; and 4 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Amelia and Salvador Aragon; and son, Mark Anthony Perez. A gathering of family and friends will be held at Rice Mortuary in Torrance on Friday September 9, 2011 from 5:30 to 9pm with a Rosary at 7pm. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Philomena Catholic Church in Carson on Saturday September 10, 2011 at 8:45am. An internment will take place at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles on Monday September 12, 2011. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Diabetes Association in her memory. Check back to view the online video tribute.