Yvonne A. Stegman

Yvonne Andree’ (nee’ Martin) Stegman: April 15, 1934-October 12, 2025. Born in Puerto Cabezes, Nicaragua to Norma M. (nee’ Sui) and Emile G. Martin. She was the youngest of three sisters and spent the first year of her life on a Kipla banana farm in Eastern Nicaragua owned by Standard Fruit and Steamship Company. Yvonne was of French, Chinese, Indigenous Miskitu and Spanish descent.

The family moved to Panama in 1935, first to Colon, then Mt. Hope, and finally settled in Cristobal in the Canal Zone. She had an idyllic childhood with her sisters and parents. She was obstinate, a rebel and independent minded at a young age; questioning authority, religion and the patriarchy. Growing up in the Canal Zone was an international experience, with a wide variety of cultures including many US military bases. As teenagers she and her sisters would be involved in society functions and dances nearly every weekend.

She met her future husband James (Jim) Stegman (USN) in November 1950 when she was 16 years old before he was deployed for 5 months. When he return in April 1951, they had their first date on the 20th of that month and she agreed to marry him 5 days later. They wed in October 1951, before he returned to Norfolk VA and she moved with her parents to Ecuador, while awaiting for approval to travel to the United States and join her husband and his family.

Yvonne and Jim settled in Dayton and Newport KY, where their 3 children were born. They moved to Kent WA in 1961, when Jim was hired by The Boeing Co. Yvonne did work outside the home for 5 years at Boeing in the upholstery department, but preferred to be called a domestic engineer. She spent the majority of her life taking care of the family and home. Yvonne was the general contractor for the second custom home she and Jim built together. She had plenty of outside interests that kept her active: Lake Wilderness Arboretum, a greenhouse and wholesale fuchsia business, sewing, photography and film processing, belly dancing, cooking, entertaining, and gardening. She took flying lessons and was certified for emergency landings, this was to insure that she and the dogs would survive if Jim had a medical emergency. As the children grew into adults and moved away, her interested broaden into painting and wine making. Her wines were made with her homegrown fruits; blackberries, pear, grapes and plums. She won a silver medal in a national award for her plum wine in 2005.

Yvonne and Jim, enjoyed many years of travel together to Australia, New Zealand, the Caribbean, Greece, Spain, Mexico, Hawaii, Alaska and the continental US. She travelled to Turkey and China, with her oldest sister Jean.

Yvonne moved to Albuquerque NM to be closer to her 2 daughters after Jim’s passing in 2021. She was in a wonderful independent senior living community until her health declined this summer. She was predeceased by her husband Jim, her parents, and sister Germaine. She is survived by her 3 children; Jim (Joanne), Roxanne, Holly (Kerry), 4 Grandchildren; Bryan (Cynthia), Adam (Megan), Eric (Rachel), and Heather, 5 Great granddaughters; Thora, Tayler, Autumn, Henley and Kasey. Her sister Jean, sister in law Eileen and several nieces and nephews.

Yvonne had a great love for her family and friends. But also, Mt Rainier, Christmas, dark chocolate, rhododendrons, fuchsias, hydrangeas, sweet fruity wine, hummingbirds, and crows. When you encounter or experience any of these, please think of her.

Cremation was provided by The Cremation Society of NM, as per her wishes no services are planned.