Ilda L. Islas, 44, of Prosser, died tragically with her daughter, Alejandra Islas, on Saturday, October 20, 2012 in a car accident near Mabton while traveling home after winning the varsity high school soccer game in Toppenish.
Ilda was born on June 14, 1968 in San Fernando, California to Salvador and Maria (Alvarez) Mendoza. She was raised and educated in Grandview, Sunnyside and Prosser and then attended Yakima Valley College and Central Washington University. Ilda married Francisco Islas in Grandview on October 5, 1991.
She had previously worked for the Farm Worker’s Clinic in Grandview, Garrison Law Offices in Sunnyside, the Washington State Migrant Council in Sunnyside and in the Benton County Administrator’s Office in Kennewick. For the past several years Idla was the Field Project Supervisor for the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in the lower Yakima Valley.
Ilda was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and taught Catholic education classes. She loved watching re-runs of the Golden Girls but most of all; she was a devoted wife and mother to her family.
Ilda is survived by her husband, Francisco Islas; her daughter, Isabel Islas; and her son, Francisco Islas Jr. all of Prosser; step-daughter, Christina Alaniz of Grandview; her mother, Maria Mendoza of Prosser; four brothers, Hector Mendoza of Pasco, Salvador Mendoza of Kennewick, Roberto Mendoza of Anaheim, CA and Raul Mendoza of Prosser; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her father, Salvador Mendoza and her grandparents.
Recitation of the Rosary for Ilda and Alejandra will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 24th at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, October 25th at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Services will conclude in the church and a luncheon will follow. A private family inurnment will be held at the Prosser Cemetery.