Laretta Smiscon

Laretta Mae Smiscon “Ta’Malush” resident of White Swan, WA was a strong-hearted, caring and loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend. She passed away peacefully on December 4, 2022, at the Cottage in the Meadow, Yakima, WA after a brief, but courageous battle with cancer. True to her character, she never gave up hope; but knew that if that was not meant to be she was prepared for her journey to be with loved ones that had since passed on. Ta’Malush was born on June 23, 1955, at Yakima, WA to Delores M. Smiscon and Felipe Rodriquez. She was a loving mother to Elicia Rae Jackson (Mark), Edwin Wheeler (Regina), Babette Lucei, and Lonzell Lucei. She is survived by grandchildren, Linda Jackson, Storm Jackson, Natasha Jackson, Alisha Jackson, Ladonn Lucei, Tommy Lucei, Mary Jane Queahpama-Lucei, Rosalie Queahpama-Lucei, Lynell Lucei, Shylynn Lucei, Sylus Lucei, Markus Lucei, Lukus Lucei, Lashae Totus-Lucei, Lonzell Lucei, Emanuel Hawk Lucei, Roque Lucei. Great grandchildren surviving her are Seirra, Tyra, Duane, Lynette, Tanner, Angel and Emma Jackson. She was raised by her maternal grandparents, Edwin and Frances Smiscon who cared for many of their grandchildren in their home. Each of the grandchildren raised by Edwin and Frances were raised as brothers and sisters. Surviving brothers and sisters include, Virgil Lallashute, Sr., Harrison Tainewasher, Sr., Louis Sweowat, Jr., Clifford Smiscon, Chester Rodriquez, Sr., Phillip Rodriquez, David Northover, Phillip Ashue, Felicia Smiscon, Syldia Smiscon, Betty Nason, Angie Ashue, Patricia Ashue, Pamela Wong, Gladys Seelatsee, Rita Headdress and Sarah Headdress. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews and members of her Nuk Nu We Sha staff. Ta’Malush’s parents and Ira Martin, whom she considered a father figure preceded her in death. Her beloved son, Llewllyn K. Lucei, Jr. and granddaughter, Lynniesha Lucei-Cloud preceded her in death as did her sisters: Sally Rodriquez, Nina Thompson, Debra Ashue, Delilah Sockzehigh Martinez and brothers, Ross Sockzehigh and John Wesley. She loved to go camping in our sacred mountains, picking huckleberries and root digging with her children and grandchildren. She also loved to have family nights of watching movies with her grandchildren, whom she loved very much. She and her sisters always tried to have an annual outing together to continue the loving bond they had. She attended Yakima Valley College, earning an Associate in Arts and Science degree in December 1991. She continued her education at Heritage University and in May 1994, received her Bachelor of Arts with a major in Interdisciplinary Studies with Primary Concentration in Social Work, Secondary Concentration in Psychology and Anthropology. She also received a Certificate in Human Services from Heritage University. Her passion for serving others began at the Fort Simcoe Job Corps where she was employed as a Student Advisor Mentor and a Supervisor Guidance Counselor. Her love for and compassion for the health, safety and welfare of children led her to work for ten (10) years at the Washington State Dept. of DSHS DCFS Children’s Administration, Toppenish, WA as a Social Worker/Tribal Liaison/FRS SW/LICWAC Coordinator. In January 2016, she jokingly said that Jerry Meninick (former Human Services’ Deputy Director for Yakama Nation) stole her from the State because “he must have seen something in her” to compel her to work for the Yakama Nation Nak Nu We Sha program. She began as a Social Worker III Case Manager Supervisor and was in this position for three years. In 2019 she was appointed as Interim Program Manager and later hired permanently as the Program Manager. She was a committed and dedicated employee who worked tirelessly for the children who could not speak for themselves. She was a Yakama Nation employee for 9 years, 8 months and 10 days. She sincerely appreciated the hard work, commitment and dedication of her Nak Nu We Sha staff. Ta’Malush was a member of the Toppenish Creek Longhouse, but never forgot being raised in the 1910 Shaker Church where her maternal grandfather, Edwin Smiscon, was a Minister. Dressing services were held on December 6, 2022, at the Toppenish Creek Longhouse with overnight services. Leland Bill officiated with Dennis Howard assisting. Funeral services were held on December 7, 2022, with burial at the 1910 Shaker Church Cemetery. The family wishes to thank the hospital staff of the University of Washington, Yakima Memorial hospital, Sunnyside Cancer Care Center and Cottage in the Meadow for their care and compassion for our loved one. We also wish to thank Bette Benson for fulfilling her request for her to dress her. We thank Leland Bill and Dennis Howard for officiating, the drummers, hunters, cooks, the Ghost Busters, family, friends and relatives that took part in ensuring that her wishes were followed. During the last few weeks of her life her concern continued to be for the care and protection of our Native children. Her hopes and desires were to have more services for children and families, funding and staff to ensure that all children in need would have safe, stable, loving homes. Her drive and compassion will be deeply missed. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Laretta Smiscon, please visit our flower store.