Lori Ann Yost

On 11-5-2023, the physical world lost dynamic vitality with the passing of Lori Ann Yost, age 61, who is finally at rest after a phenomenal, 16-year battle with renal cell carcinoma. She joins her late mother, Sylvia Keister Yost. She is survived by her wife, Julia Tebbets, her father and step-mother, C. James and Glenda Yost, sister Deborah Yost Bryson (Fred), treasured nephew Kyle Bryson, niece Amy Bryson Wertz (Craig), and great-nephew Brady James Wertz, as well as many important members of her extended, blended family. 

Genuine in her diverse passions, Lori also leaves a truly extensive network of chosen family, who loved and supported her throughout her remarkable life. They describe her as "an unforgettable inspiration for how to live," known for her "enthusiastic unwillingness to waste a moment of her too-brief time here."

The ferocious beauty of her acts of leadership, and generous participation in shared enterprise, included setting the 800-meter dash record at Warrior Run High School in 1980, which stands in 2023; being admitted into the Warrior Run Hall of Fame in light of her notable athletic achievements; becoming a 32-year veteran of the U.S. Navy Reserve, and teaching Physical Education while coaching multiple sports for 32 years.

An inducted member of the Woman Divers Hall of Fame, Captain Lori Yost is also missed by the faithful Navy deep-sea diving community of the Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 2 (Cleveland). She helped to break the glass ceiling for younger female deep-sea divers; to compete internationally for the United States in the NATO CIOR, Interallied Confederation of Reserve Officers, military pentathlons; to raise the history-making turret and Dahlgren cannons of the sunken Civil War vessel the USS Monitor; to support peace-keeping missions in Bosnia, earthquake relief efforts in Pakistan, and salvage of the sunken Japanese fishing vessel the Ehime Maru with the return of its lost crew members. As empathetic as she was strong, Lori was designated to cry at the ceremony for their families, to express our country's remorse for the accident, which she felt deeply.

A graduate of Slippery Rock University, whose effective impact on the lives of others included hundreds of students and young athletes who experienced her commitment to everything from lacrosse and field hockey, to setting world records with Cup Stacking, to initiating the beloved Halloween obstacle course, Olympics events, and even a very successful Jump for Heart Disease fundraiser motivated by the illness of a colleague's spouse. An alumna recalled her "mentoring gift: She was a strong, fit, joyful example for us all." Lori was also fun. Friends brighten at the memory of her "Flashlight Ops" dance parties. Colleagues adored her being "the Faculty Fun Committee of One." 

She passionately embraced the deep friendships associated with her diverse interests. These included traveling the world; rock-climbing; competing in marathons, triathlons, orienteering challenges; trading thousands of Olympic, Disney, and Little League pins; bird-watching; and more recently, building LEGOs; carving wooden spoons, polishing cabochons, faceting gemstones, and turning pens. Ever a collector and a teacher, she taught 17 people to make a pen. Eschewing offers to purchase her creations, this humble force of nature delighted in giving all of her pens and many of her lapidary pieces away, even researching the most meaningful stones to present to each of 52 colleagues. She donated dozens of her K'Nex kits to the Warrior Run School District where she started.

As a retiree, it remained true of Lori Yost that you may take the woman out of the Navy, but you cannot take the Captain out of the woman.

Friends and family will be received at the R.D. Copeland Funeral Home, Irvine Chapel, 702 Beaver Street, Sewickley on Saturday, November 11th from 1 - 2 pm followed by a Memorial Service beginning at 2 pm. In honoring Lori's wish, everyone coming to the funeral home is asked to wear either something tie-dye, Mickey Mouse themed or US Navy related. In addition to the clothing, anyone fortunate to have one of Lori's gifted cabochons is invited to wear it to the service. Burial will be held in the McEwensville Cemetery. Donations in Lori's name can be made to American Bird Conservancy, Bricks for Lego Re-Play or the Woman Divers Hall of Fame. 

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