Concepcion "Connie" Yanez

Concepcion Saenz Yanez, age 87, of Sunnyside passed away Thursday, March 5, at home surrounded by her family. She was born December 8, 1938, in Edinburg, Texas to Genardo Saenz and Santos Diaz Saenz.

She married Cresencio Falcon Yanez in Edinburg, Texas on April 28, 1953. In 1954 they migrated from Edinburg, Texas to Outlook, Washington, where they were employed at Snow and Sons.  In 1968 the Yanez family settled in Sunnyside. Concepcion worked in various warehouses until her retirement from Twin City Food in Prosser. 

Concepcion was a hard worker, always up by 3:00 a.m. making lunch for everyone before getting ready to go to work. Even after she retired, she continued starting her mornings with the same routine.

When Concepcion’s grandchildren came to visit, she made time to have one-on-one conversations with them. Grandma was always giving consejos (advice).

She loved all holidays, especially when her large family gathered at her home. The house was always full of laughter, food, and conversation. Her most special holiday was Easter, which she became known for hosting and inviting all family and friends to attend. During the celebration, she would stuff eggs with dollar bills and scatter them across the yard for everyone to run and gather. The egg collection usually took less than two minutes to pick up, sometimes leaving a few family members with bumps and bruises after the excitement. She also hid a few extra-special tiny robin eggs, and whoever found one would receive $100.

Yard sales were both a hobby and a passion for Concepcion. She not only loved going to yard sales but also enjoyed hosting her own. She would often travel with family to places like Seattle and Longview on treasure-hunting trips, always excited to see what special finds the day might bring. She enjoyed the adventure as much as the treasures and loved sharing those moments with her family. She also enjoyed traveling with family to visit loved ones in Texas, California, and would also venture into Mexico, cherishing the time spent together and the memories made along the way.

Concepcion opened her home to everyone with open arms. Her home was always welcoming, and family and friends knew they could help themselves, making it a place where everyone felt comfortable and a part of the family.

Concepcion, the matriarch of five generations, is preceded in death by her husband Cresencio; two sons, Jessie Sr. and Henny Yanez; two grandchildren, Amber Rodriguez and Yanez Yanez; four brothers, three sisters; and all her brother and sister-in-laws and comadres. She was the last one of her family’s generation.

She is survived by three sons: Cresencio Yanez Jr., Ezra Yanez (Nena), and Moses Yanez (Rose); four daughters; Janie Sanchez (Tony), Esmeralda Yanez, Connie Johnson, and Florinda Barajas (Jose); 29 grandchildren; 58 great-grandchildren; 18 great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The Yanez family would like to thank her neighbors and friends for always being there for her. They checked on her regularly, bringing soup, tamales, canned chili, garden vegetables, and fruits. She lived in a wonderful neighborhood for over 50 years where neighbors truly looked out for one another.

The Yanez family would also like to thank the staff at Prosser Memorial Hospital for the care and compassion shown to our mother. We would also like to extend our sincere gratitude to Heartlinks Hospice & Palliative Care for their wonderful care, kindness, and quick response in helping our mom and supporting our family during this time.

Viewing and Visitation will be held Wednesday, March 11, 2026 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm with the recitation of the Holy Rosary at 6:00 pm at the Smith Funeral Home Chapel in Sunnyside, WA. A Funeral Liturgy service will be Thursday, March 12, 2026 at 11:00 am at the Smith Funeral Home Chapel in Sunnyside, WA with burial to follow at Lower Valley Memorial Gardens. Those wishing to sign Connie’s online memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com Smith Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

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