Maria Cristina (Cris) Medina was born July 19, 1949 and passed away November 8, 2022. She was preceded in death by her father Adolfo Medina (1960), brother Rick Medina (2011), and mother Anita Ramos Medina (2013).

Originally from Alomogordo, New Mexico, Cris’s family moved to Woodland, California when she was five years old. From an early age she helped support her parents and siblings however she could. Her incredible work ethic and dedication was evident even then, as she worked in the fields picking tomatoes for only a few months before being promoted to English translator. She graduated from Woodland Senior High School in 1968 and is an alumnus of Sacramento State University.

At 18, Cris began working for the Yolo County Office of Education translating textbooks, novels, workbooks, and other publications into braille, a position she proudly held for 20 years. Master copies of the hundreds of books she translated are held in the Library of Congress and are still used today. She also served Yolo County as secretary to the Superintendent of Schools, a position that carried her through the next 17 years until she retired in 2004.

One of her biggest joys in life was volunteering at The Woodland Opera House. From 1996-2010 she served as an usher, spotlight and lightboard operator, stage tech, apprentice seamstress, Stage Manager, and representative for Univision aiming to attract more diverse performers, volunteers, and audience members. Her deep love of theater and dedication to countless productions helped her win the coveted “Tekkie of the Year” award twice.

In November 2021, Cris moved to Mount Holly, North Carolina to be closer to her son Luis and daughter-in-law Crystal. She was a fearless woman who loved adventure – she practiced martial arts for 25 years, hand glided over the ocean despite not knowing how to swim, skied the advanced slopes as a beginner, and loved to travel wherever and whenever possible. Cris had a wicked sense of humor and was a loyal friend, a dedicated community leader, and an amazing single parent. She touched countless lives throughout the world and is dearly loved by all who have met her. May her bright light never be forgotten.