Longtime resident Mavis Biesanz succumbed to an acute lung infection yesterday morning at the age of 88.

Biesanz authored several books, including “The Ticos: Culture and Social Change in Costa Rica,” co-written with son, Richard, and daughter, Karen. Most recently, she wrote a bilingual book of stories and poems entitled “ Un Año con Carmen /A Year with Carmen.”

The widow of John Biesanz, who died in 1995, Mavis Biesanz was a proud mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

A memorial will be held Saturday at 3 p.m. at the home of her son, woodworker Barry Biesanz, in the western San José suburb of San Antonio de Escazú. For information, please call Biesanz Woodworks at 289-4337.