Birth date: Jul 14, 1923 Death date: Apr 8, 2017
Iyla Mae Rodriquez born July 14, 1923 in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan to Fred Mitchell & Majul Bowker, peacefully passed away on April 8, 2017.In her early years, Iyla lived in South Dakota and went to Fort Wingate Navajo boarding schoo Read Obituary
Ilya Mae was a sweetheart and, although I haven’t seen or spoken to her for several years, my sister, Cathy Plise Larson, said it all…wonderful woman and happy to say she was our friend but more like family to us. May she rest in peace and meet up with our mom now. My condolences to her family! Lorraine Plise Souza
Iyla Mae was a friend. I knew her as a little kid and as an elderly adult (65). She was one of my mom’s (Lorraine Nappi Plise) closest friends. I remember her taking us to a concert in Golden Gate Park and to a Play in San Francisco. Iyla Mae and Rod would come to our house sometimes on Christmas/new years eve? to celebrate. Iyla Mae became a big part of my mom’s life when my dad passed. She was able to motivate my mom to get out of the house and enjoy life to her fullest right to the end of her life. My mom started line dancing with Iyla Mae, although Iyla did not continue with it. My mom was motivated to continue line dancing, something she wanted to do but would never have on her own. Iyla Mae introduced my mom to her family and enjoy some of Iyla Mae’s indian culture at her family get togethers. Iyla Mae was so proud of her family. We saw some of the pictures of of her Nephew in his indian atire. She was proud. They traveled to Iyla’s Maes Favorite State, Seattle Washington. Iyla Mae introduced my mom to her friends and all of Seattle. They went there many, many times. Iyla mae did not like to sit around. She would take bart by herself and go to San Francisco or have a cup of coffee at Tanforan mall and watch the people. Iyla Mae and my mom would go to San Francisco and walk for miles and enjoy themselves. They did this many, many times. I know Iyla Mae felt the hurt and pain my family felt when my mom died. They were close and she missed my mom every day. Although Iyla Mae was nearng the end of her life she was stll planning on going to Seattle. She even asked me to go with her this year. I wasn’t sure we would be able to because of her health and my lack of energy. I never told her that. She was so interesting right to the top of her pointed little head! lol! “Pointed little Head” was a saying Iyla Mae always used. Iyla was a walking history book. She was so friendly and interesting that when she greeted people at Kaiser they loved to talk to her. One gentleman asked her to meet his daughter so she could right about some of Iyla Maes life for a school project as i recall. This was several years ago. Iyla Mae did meet with her. Unfortunately this pointed little head has a very small brain and can not remember anything more of what happened. Iyla told me i had to pay more attention to what i am doing. I still need to remember her words of wisdom. About a year ago, I was able to share a very old story with Iyla Mae about the time Ramona took her car on a drive while her and Rod were gone. Ramona was really young. But she new how to drive! lol! Iyla Mae got a kick out of that story. Yes of course my sister and i were in the car for awhile with Ramona driving. Ramona must have been 13? so long ago. Iyla Mae had a good sense of humor. She laughed when my dog goosed her! lol She told us how she vacuumed her dogs hair instead of brushing it. I tried the vaccum scared my dog! He doesn’t like to be brushed either. Iyla Mae was not a person to just sit still. She liked to keep on moving. Iyla Mae will be missed so much. She was full of life with lots of fantastic and interesting real life stories. As you can tell I loved her real life stories and so did my family. She had an interesting life that should have become a book. We all have wonderful memories and stories because of Iyla Mae being a part of our lives. She lived a long life that gave her enough time to share and change the lives of others. Iyla will be missed and loved forever. Thankyou Iyla Mae for being a part of my life. I will treasure my memories forever! Love you! Cathy Plise Larson
