Sunnyside, WA - On September 1, 2025, our beloved wife, mother, sister, and friend, Graciela Bravo-Black, passed away at the age of 78 after living with and suffering from Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) for over a decade. Though small in stature at 4'10", she was a force of nature -- a brilliant teacher, a fierce advocate, a guiding light, and the heart of our family.

Born on April 3, 1947, in Mexico, Graciela emigrated with her family to the United States at age 14.

They worked in the fields, traveling from California to Washington -- her hands harvesting crops while her heart held onto impossible dreams. When she entered school in Texas, speaking no English, she was placed in kindergarten -- not because of her age, but because there were no programs for students like her. From those humble beginnings, she carved a remarkable path.

On June 9, 1967, she graduated from Central Union High School in Fresno. Three days later, on June 12, she became a proud U.S. citizen. That same year, she enrolled at Central Washington University, completing her BA in Education in just three years. In 1990, she earned her master's degree in Spanish Literature from Middlebury College, a program she completed largely in Spain. She was the first in her family to achieve these milestones, paving the way for her siblings, nieces, and nephews in their own educational journeys.

Yet Graciela did not view her degrees as her greatest achievement. Her true legacy was the decades she devoted to teaching, most recently more than 20 years at Sunnyside High School. She also taught at Heritage University, Yakima Valley Community College (YVCC), and Rumsey Hall in Connecticut.

She saw herself in every immigrant child who walked into her classroom -- because she had once been one of them. Her compassion, honesty, and insistence on high standards changed the course of countless lives.

Graciela organized field trips across the state, often fundraising herself because she knew how important it was to expand her students' horizons. She was unafraid to challenge the status quo, bringing real-world issues into the classroom -- sometimes considered controversial -- because she could not bear to see her students unprepared for life's challenges. She taught her fellow educators to look deeper, to see students for who they truly were: full of potential.

Her students knew she believed in them, often more than they believed in themselves. Generations graduated from high school, pursued college, and even earned advanced degrees because of her tireless support. She turned every obstacle into a stepping stone, not just for herself but for the hundreds of young people who needed someone to show them the way.

Graciela's strength extended beyond the classroom. She cared deeply for the earth and lived simply and conscientiously -- commuting by bike, conserving energy, and practicing a mindful respect for nature. She was also a devoted partner to her husband of 56 years, Leonard Black, who never left her side in her final years. He often reminded us: she had taken care of us our whole lives, and now it was his turn.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers, Raúl and Jaime. She is survived by her husband Leonard; her loving children, Jessica Black and Tami Black (spouse Kari Black); her siblings; her nieces and nephews; and generations of students and friends who carry her lessons in their hearts.

Her services will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Smith Funeral Home, 528 S Eighth St, Sunnyside, WA 98944. All are welcome to join us in honoring her remarkable life.

Graciela's legacy is one of resilience, love, and the steadfast belief that education can transform lives.

She showed us what it means to never give up, to fight for others, and to dream beyond the limits imposed on us. We miss her deeply, but we are grateful that she is at peace and forever free.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in her name to the Bluefield Project to Cure Frontotemporal Dementia. Donations can be made online at www.bluefieldproject.org/donate or mailed to: Bluefield Project to Cure FTD, P.O. Box 14528, San Francisco, CA 94114.

There will be a reception at the Black Family home in Yakima following the service.

Those wishing to sign Graciela's online memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com.