Maria Inez Yslas

Maria Inez Yslas was born on December 12, 1953, in Brighton, Colorado, to Jose Santos Yslas and Esther Rodriguez Enriquez. She excelled in school, enjoying both her academic studies and playing volleyball. Another of her passions was music, which she expressed through playing the clarinet, piano, and organ. The organ, in particular, became her preferred instrument. As a high schooler, she began playing at El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, and later in life, she not only played the organ at Bethel Presbyterian Church but also served as the choir director for several years. On her many trips to Tampico and Cd. Mante, she would help her cousin prepare church choirs for their annual Christmas Cantata.

Inez had a strong sense of justice and compassion, which guided her both personally and professionally. In the 1970s, she participated in boycotts against grapes and lettuce and was an active member of the Chicano student group at her university. She was always looking for ways to uplift her community and support those around her.

Inez studied at the University of Colorado before earning a master’s degree in public administration and organizational effectiveness in New York City. As part of her graduate program, she completed an internship in Long Beach, California, a move that led her to trade Colorado’s mountains for the beaches of California. She loved exploring the region’s beaches, museums, and amusement parks. Though Pasadena was not on the coast, it became her home.

She built a long and impactful career at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, where she collaborated with scientists to enhance project efficiency and effectiveness. When the Mars Rover successfully landed on Mars, the JPL team erupted in celebration—cheering and embracing one another. Behind the scenes, Inez had played a role in that success by helping them work better together.

Inez also loved to travel. To celebrate her sister’s high school graduation, she planned their first trip to Mexico City and Cancún. The sisters explored the pyramids, visited the Museum of Anthropology, watched the pandas at the zoo, and requested songs from mariachis at Garibaldi. They snorkeled in coral reefs, hiked through the jungle, and shopped at local mercados, creating cherished memories together.

Her family made many trips to visit her in California, and Inez always ensured there was something fun or educational to do. They had the opportunity to help build a float for the Tournament of Roses Parade and see it in person. She expertly guided them through Disneyland, ensuring they experienced every ride and parade in a single day. She took them to admire Diego Rivera’s work at the Norton Simon Museum, Van Gogh’s paintings at the Getty, and "Blue Boy" and "Pinkie" at the Huntington Museum. They always returned home exhausted but happy—there was never a dull moment with Inez.

Later in life, she suffered a stroke that left her paralyzed and unable to communicate. Even in the face of these challenges, she never lost her kindness or compassion. Once, a fellow nursing home resident approached her in search of another patient but became overwhelmed with emotion and began to cry. Despite her own limitations, Inez gently stroked his arm and wiped his tears with her sleeve. No illness could take away her kind spirit.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Jose Santos and Esther. She is survived by her siblings, Javier Eduardo Yslas (Sofia), Raquel Yslas, and Ruth Armijo (Theodore Armijo); as well as her nieces, Erica Ines Morales (JJ Morales) and Maria Theresa Contreras (Abraham Perez); and her nephew, Pedro Santos Contreras (Ashley Contreras).