A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, 163 W. Eaton Avenue in Tracy on Thursday, November 29, 2012. Burial will be private.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband Mike, her parents, five sisters, and two brothers. She is survived by a son David (Barbara) Yrigoyen of Manteca, daughters Valerie (Lon) Mayer of Stockton and Janice (Keith) Robertson of Tracy, grandchildren Allison (Jason) Sandel of Idaho, Jeffrey Yrigoyen of San Diego, Garrett Yrigoyen of Nevada, Justin (Crystal) Mayer and Michael Mayer of Stockton, Kyle Robertson of Manteca, and Michelle (Justin) Durrer of Ripon, and two great-grandchildren, brother-in-law True Hines of Carmichael, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Born in Selma, California to Manuel and Margarette Craveiro, Mrs. Yrigoyen was the youngest of eight children. She graduated from Selma Union High School where she was active in sports, drama, band majorette, cheerleading, and editor of the school paper. She received her AA degree from Reedley Junior College in 1943 and a BA degree in Physical Education and Social Studies from San Jose State in 1945 with a special interest in dance and individual sports.
During WWII she taught dancing at the USO and raised money selling government war bonds.
Her first teaching position was at Hayward High School in Hayward where she specialized in all types of dance, swimming, and leadership programs. She left teaching at Hayward High when she married long-time Tracy farmer Mike Yrigoyen in 1954. Eleven years later, and when her three children were in school, Dorothy returned to teaching. During her tenure at Tracy High School, she taught health and physical education, general science, and home economics and coached girls’ swimming, volleyball, and badminton. She retired in 1983 to have more time for family and personal activities, mainly bridge and dancing with her husband.

Dorothy enjoyed cooking and baking in particular and was a collector of many cook books and recipes. She was an avid reader of romance, historical, and mystery novels. She enjoyed being with people and organized programs. She loved watching repeats of the early musicals and dramas of the 1930-60s, movies, and grading and scoring Dancing with the Stars.

She was a Life Member of San Jose State University Alumni as well as the California Association for Health Physical Education Recreation and Dance. She was a member of the Tracy Woman’s Club, St. Bernard’s Young Ladies Institute #150, Native Daughters of the Golden West San Juan Chapter, Tracy West Side Pioneers, and San Joaquin Historical Society.
In 2000 Dorothy and her husband Mike moved from their country home in Banta to a senior gated community in Manteca. She moved in 2011 to The Commons at Union Ranch in Manteca after her husband passed away in 2010, where she enjoyed many of the activities offered.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Dorothy’s memory can be made to the charity of one’s choice. Arrangements are being handled by Park View Cemetery & Funeral Home in Manteca.

Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Tuessday, November 27, 2012