Celia Yaniz Pineiro, 85, died Friday, October 23, 2009 at Trinity Manor Nursing Home in Dodge City after a short illness. She was born on November 9, 1923 in Havana, Cuba, the daughter of Enrique and Celia (Clara) Yaniz.

With her late husband, Sergio, and her son, Jose Antonio Clark, Celia left for Miami in 1962 to seek refuge from Castro's Cuba. They lived in several cities in the United States, including Miami, Florida, Leavenworth and Lawrence, Kansas. Celia's first major job in the US was as a translator for the Military Review in Fort Leavenworth. After receiving their advanced degrees in Spanish at the University of Kansas in 1971, the Pineiros moved to Dodge City, where they made their permanent home. It was here that they became proud American citizens and built their careers.

Celia was a Spanish teacher at Dodge City High School. Under her guidance, her students won mutliple awards and traveled abroad. After teaching 19 years of all levels of Spanish, Celia retired and went to work for the Dodge City Daily Globe, where she served for another 19 years, first as editor of the Spanish language newspaper La Estrella and then as a columnist. From these professions, as well as the many public appearances at clubs, churches, and civic organizations with Sergio, Celia came to be a familiar and integral part of Dodge City life.

Celia is survived by a son, Jose Antonio Clark and his wife Stella of San Marcos, California as well as her many close friends from Dodge City such as the Banning, Amaro, Garcia, and Avila families and especially her closest friends through the years, Candy and Dr. Armando Perez. She leaves friends from all over the United States, too numerous to mention. We will miss her intelligence, her optimism, her sense of humor, and her elegance. Her spirit will live on in the many lives she touched. She was preceded in death by her husband, Sergio.

A memorial service will be held at Cathedral Of Our Lady Of Guadalupe on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at 6:00 PM with Rev. Ted Skalsky presiding. There will be no public visitation as cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in her name to the American Cancer Society in care of Swaim Funeral Home 1901 Sixth Ave Dodge City, Kansas 67801. Personal Condolences may be left at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.