Francine Pala Sommers Yorba, vice chairwoman of the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians, died Friday morning.
Yorba served on the tribal council for 16 years, according to Nathan Banda, a Juaneño and member of the city’s Cultural Heritage Commission.
The tribe's website noted that the family wanted to share the news with the community.
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“I served on tribal council with Fran Yorba for three years. She took me under her wing and guided me in my years in the political arena in Indian Country,” Banda said.
According to the Juaneño website, the bells at Mission San Juan Capistrano rang in her honor at 11 a.m. Friday.
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Banda said Yorba dedicated her life to the tribe.
“She identified our ancestors and history for all our family members. She always greeted everyone with a smile and a hug," he said.
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