John Bligh
- School secretary
- Brooklyn Academy HS, Brooklyn
For more than 25 years, Yvette Vega’s title was school secretary. But Yvette “was way more than our school secretary,” said her friend and colleague Tanya Brand. “Her beautiful smile and warm demeanor left an indelible mark on our staff and students,” said Brand. “She was a maternal figure, a person of trust and someone our school community truly cherished.”
For the past two years, Yvette worked at Brooklyn Academy HS, a transfer school in Bedford Stuyvesant. For the 11 years before that, she worked at Bedford Stuyvesant Preparatory HS, a transfer school in the same building. The schools merged in 2018.
Yvette, 60, died of coronavirus on April 9.
Described as welcoming and encouraging, Yvette was known for checking in with students, asking if they wanted assistance and referring them to the appropriate staff members, Brand said. “She provided a listening ear and emotional support to those in need.”
In addition to her helpfulness to colleagues and students, Yvette was known for her cultural competence, respecting all cultures and celebrating her own. “She loved spending time in Puerto Rico and was an avid historian and music lover,” Brand said.
She would discuss with colleagues the ethnic background of Puerto Ricans and how it consists of Taino indigenous people, Spaniards and Africans who were enslaved, kidnapped and forced to come to Puerto Rico, Brand recounted. Social studies teacher Damion Trent, who also teaches at Hostos Community College in the Bronx, said he told Yvette he considered her “a primary oral source” and often quoted her “historically accurate statement” at Hostos.
Brand said, “Yvette was shaken by the damage Hurricane Maria had done to her beloved Puerto Rico.” She loved her culture immensely, including foods such as bacalao – codfish that is typically dried or salted – and music such as bomba and salsa. Some of her favorite musical artists were Eddie Palmieri, Celia Cruz, Tito Puento and Los Hermanos.
Chapter Leader Claudia Normil Novelo said Yvette was “sweet but strict and always very respectful.” The students, she said, loved her. “She was like a mommy in the office. The kids formed a bond with her.” Novelo recalls a wake for a students’ mom: “She sat with that student all afternoon.”
Yvette regularly attended union meetings, Novelo said, and always had a smile on her face.
Yvette is survived by her son, Santos Ramos Vega; her grandchildren, Kathy and Nordi; her brother, Fernando Ramos; and her nieces, Julissa, Bethany and Haley.
Rest In Peace Yvette. I met her at a PD and from then on we became friends. She was an amazing person. Always ready to help. What a terrible loss.
Yvette and i worked at Wingate HS. Yvette was a fantastic friend and co-worker! I always felt comfortable around her. We went on vacation out West . We saw the Grand Canyon at Sunrise and Sunset! The Phoenix Zoo, the Indian Museum, and their Succulent Botanical Garden. We saw other beautiful national parks, among other things, including Vegas One of the best vacations I ever had!!
Yvette had a beautiful spirit and heart!! I was just going to renew our friendship when she called me when I received this devastating news!!!! My heart is broken!!
Yvette you will always be in me heart!!!!
I first got to know Yvette at Wingate HS. When I went into her room for a moment she always had a calming effect on me. I would visit her at her apartment in Brooklyn. We would always have a good time. I still live in Queens. We even went on vacation to see the Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, The Phoenix Zoo, the Phoenix Indian Museum, and the Succulent Botanical Garden in Phoenix. We also went to Sedona, went on a jeep ride, saw the red rocks, and the little Chapel on the Hill. We ended up in Vegas.
Yvette just called me this year! I called her to start to get back together with her when a colleague informed me she had died from this terrible disease! Yvette died too young! She had so much more to give! She made everyone feel at home in her presence! I will never get to see her again!! I will miss her with all my heart and soul!!!!
RIP, Yvette.
Ms. Vega was such an important part of our school community. She always helped my day get off to a great start by greeting me with her bright smile and kind eyes — and I know she did the same for every single student, teacher, and staff member. She made a special effort to help me with my attempts to speak Spanish, and always encouraged me to keep trying. When she broke her foot over the winter, she couldn’t wait to get back to work. As soon as she possibly could, she was back at school with her big smile, full of energy, walking around in her boot! I will remember and continue to be inspired by her positive outlook.
May you rest in peace, Ms. Vega.
Yvette was a loving kind sweet person who we met for dinner 4 of us every so often. She was a privilege to know and love I cried bitterly when I found this out May she Rest In Peace
I worked with Yvette many years ago at Wingate HS, but we had kept our friendship alive. Along with two other women also from Wingate, we would all get together three or four times a year for dinner and just catch up with each other’s lives. Also, since we were both payroll secretaries, we would contact each other frequently to discuss questions/problems at school and just chat.
I will miss Yvette terribly, both personally and professionally. She is truly one of the sweetest people I ever knew, and it is heartbreaking to have someone so near and dear taken so soon.
Yvette, I hope you know how much you are loved and missed.
Ms. Vega,
She was such a sweet person. Always smiling and very pleasant. You will truly be missed. R. I. P Ms. Vega
You will be missed.
My sister Yvette meant the world to us. She was sweeet, loving, and a very caring person to all who came across her path. My sister was a person filled with enough love to go around the globe. She spoke with a soft voice, but with words of wisdom. I’m greatful to of had her in my life for the 49 years that I have been on this planet. Yvette was my only sibling, although she was more like a second mom. Yvette was very adventures, she loved visiting places that she had never been before, even if it meant going on her own. As a child I always looked up to her work ethics, her never give up attitude was amazing to me. Once she set her mind on doing something there was no stopping her. I write this with tears in eyes as today May 12, 2020 is her 61st Birthday. You will be missed immensely by the entire family. Give mom great big huge from all of us. With lot’s of love we want to say. HAPPY BIRTHDAY YVETTE….
I will miss your sister so much! I am sorry for your loss, and my heart goes out to your entire family.
My deepest sympathies on the lose of your beloved sister, Yvette. We worked together at Wingate HS. We traveled together out West. We went to Arizona to such places as the Grand Canyon, etc.
We took numerous photos while we were there. I was wondering whether you found negatives of those photos we took on vacation. Would you be kind enough to mail them to me.
My address is:
Joan DeVagno
14125 Northern Blvd., Apt. D12
Flushing, NY 11354 THANK YOU!
I only found out today 5/11 because I reached out to her Principal. I had left messages and emails before finding out. She will be miss greatly. She had a heart of gold so caring and warm.
Vuela Alto Yvette
We are at a loss for words. Such a warm and beautiful person…so polite and caring. Thank you for all you did for students, staff and administration at Bedford Stuyvesant Prep and then at Brooklyn Academy. We will miss you terribly. Rest in Peace.