Remembrances
Eric Juillerat
Aunt Yoli, as she was known to me, was a patchwork of all those things we learned we were to be when in Sunday school. Jesus has an expectation for us, for how we behave and how we treat others; and Aunt Yoli was the embodiment of those expectations. She was the example. She was the teacher. She is the teacher; is, as in still, and always. She left a trail of love behind her as she blazed her way back to God. And she wants us not to remember her, or not just to remember her, but to remember her love and her examples of how we too can be.
I have been asked, by the family, to put to words the thoughts, memories, and prayers of her family; all of us. To put to words those examples of love, her examples of love, that she would ask us to keep dear and close to our hearts now, and forever.
In her last hours on earth she was smiling. She was smiling because of all of you, her family and friends, who were there sharing your love with her and having a party in her name. That is true. But, she was also smiling because she knew something we didn’t. She believed something we should believe. She knew that the, and these are her words, that the big party was yet to come. She knew she was going to be with God and Jesus and that her new life was going to be wonderful and amazing beyond our comprehension. And I know she’s still smiling.
Yes, Aunt Yoli was a patchwork of all those things that we know are the right things. And her stories are stitched together here into a quilt of the finest materials and workmanship, made and designed, for all of us to throw around us, and to warm our hearts. For us to share, and to feel, and to see, how wonderful life is. How wonderful love is. How wonderful and blessed we are to have each other and to be a family. This is her gift to us. Her finest creation; different stories of her interwoven together from our many and varied stories of her in our lives.
And so, may I suggest that we enjoy these stories with smiles on our faces and love in our hearts; with smiles on our faces, and God in our hearts.
ERIC
In the past several days, I had been speaking with many people about Aunt Yoli and her health. Everyone I spoke with had the same thing to say, she’s so happy, joking and laughing, and enjoying all the company and attention. It was my time to go visit her and say hello. Thanks to God, I will never forget her smiling face and the look of peace on her face. When I came up to her I told her that I had been talking to others and that she was the talk of the town! I told her that she had started a lot of commotion. She smiled and replied, “I like that.”
In October of last year she inspired me to pen the following poem that I would like to share with you all now.
A Prayer for Peace
Edmund Jeigh, October, 2006
For Aunt Yoli
My heart is filled with warmth
As I watch the sunset of my life;
For a golden path has been laid before my eyes
Though fear had gripped me
I am secure in God’s hands
As he has blessed my walk with no more surprise
My Earthly tasks lie behind me; completed
And now I will prepare the way
For all those I dearly love
No more tears need be shed
For I am with you; praying and waiting
Somewhere happy, in the Heavens, up above
HELENA
What a giving person Yoli was. Whenever someone new came in, she made them feel at home and so welcomed. My first meeting with her was one of warmth and love. Yoli was a nurturer to everyone; so accepting of who we are; not judging or criticizing.
I really came to know Yoli when she became our "lunchroom monitor" at AIC.
She took her job seriously and cleaned the tables and kitchen every day. She would set my "place setting" with a paper towel and plastic forks and spoons and we would sit a chat about everything. She participated in all our AIC potlucks, Christmas party, Halloween and whatever we were doing. She loved being a part of our team. Halloween was always fun because she always had a unique costume which she incorporated into her work attire. One Halloween she came in with stockings, underwear, socks, wash cloths, kitchen towels, etc. attached to her from head to toe. I asked her if she was a washing machine and she said, no, I'm static cling!
Throughout the years, Yoli has been there for me even when Hector was in Maryland for a year on a job. We would go to dinner or a show and she would call me every day to make sure I was all right. After a movie, a drama, she drove me home and when we arrived, we found our front door wide open. Yoli immediately opened the hall closet and seeing that no one was there, proceeded to pick up the bat that was there, gave me a flashlight and we went from room to room opening up doors, shower curtains, looking under the bed and tables with her bat ready to strike and my flashlight ready to blind whoever was there.....luckily, we did not find a thing and when she left, she made sure I had locked the door. We laughed about it years later....That's the kind of person she was. Never thinking of herself but of others.
Yoli loved babies and had a special attachment to Madeline. She prayed for her and always asked me how she was doing. I gave her a picture that Nicole sent her and she cried and hugged it. She also loved Lauren who called her A. Olie. We took Lauren to breakfast many times and Yoli would sit with her and allow Lauren to pour the cream into her coffee. She would make Lauren laugh. Yoli would always tell us about her grandchildren, her love of her life. Although we did not see them often, we felt as though we knew them from all the stories she told of them.
Yoli was a strong woman with so much faith and dignity. She allowed us to love her and care for her even though she was so independent. She went home knowing she was loved by everyone and knowing Jesus was holding her in his hands. She went with a smile on her face with so much peace. Although we will miss Yoli, she will continue to be our care giver until she greets us in heaven. Thank you Yoli, for your love and peace; we love you!
CARMINA
Our sister, Yoli, was the ultimate giver of comfort. Her first thought and words to anyone was, "What can I get you, what can I do for you." Her main concern was that everyone had everything they needed to be completely comfortable. If children were in the room, they were her main focus seeing to each child's every need and that everyone was perfectly content and happy. Yoli was the most creative person. Her ideas and projects were limitless. Her attention to detail was beautiful and she always did everything with grace and style.
Whether she was working, cooking, sewing, or creating her garden, she gave it 100%. She was the epitome of a homemaker. One of our family's fondest memories was a special "Green Eggs & Ham" breakfast she created for us when she lived in California. Not content to just cook green eggs in her kitchen, Yolanda staged a breakfast scavenger hunt for us. She had spent hours setting up a progressive breakfast with her neighbors--who were all strangers to us--that culminated in a buffet breakfast of green eggs & ham in the park several blocks from her home. There she stood with the biggest smile on her face enjoying our reactions. She did not do things in a small way. I don't think Yoli knew any unkind words. She always found good in everyone, and delighted in each person's triumphs and successes. She was the best sister, the best confidant, and my dearest friend. She will be missed by all those who were lucky enough to love her.
CAROL
In 1989, Yoli invited me to see a local quilt show with her. I never even knew there was such a thing, but we had a lot of fun and challenged ourselves to try our hand at quilting. We started slowly, quilting by trial and error for a few years. Eventually we started taking classes at the local quilt shop and began learning how to do it right. Carmina joined us in our passion, and pretty soon there was no stopping us. It became a life-long passion for us, and provided a lot of enjoyment.
In 2001, Yoli suggested we go to the International Quilt Show in Santa Clara for a four day convention. There were hundreds of quilts and vendors, and we were just “blown away” by the possibilities. It was just us three girls, getting excited and having a wonderful time. It became a yearly event we all looked forward to.
One time Carmina talked us into buying the patterns for beautiful quilted vests. We made them and wore them together one year at the convention. Those vests were so special; we were the center of attention where we went. We started calling ourselves the “quilting sisters.” We didn’t know how much of an impression we made until Yoli got a little separated from us to look at some fabric, and someone approached her and said, “Are you one of the quilting sisters?” That really made us all feel special.
I will always think of her now as my sister, my quilting sister, and my best friend.
HECTOR
I can remember that she let me use her car. I would walk to the bank at 5:30 in the morning – she worked the graveyard shift - from our home, to meet her and drive her home. It was a 1950 Pontiac 2 door with a straight 8. It was a great car; I wished I had it today. Anyway, this was my training for my driving license. I practiced three times driving 4 miles each day. I had never driven a car before. She slept while I drove home. The next mornings to come she would ask, do you remember where this ding came from, I just don’t remember it. Of course, I don’t remember…where they came from…and please don’t tell her now!
And so as fate would have it, I became Yoli’s Transportation Officer. I helped her purchase her last three cars; the red Chevy Nova, the white Saturn, and her red Honda CRV. This was always a difficult task because Jo-Landa was so picky. She was always saying, I want red, I want flames, I want a tuned suspension and 400HP with dual overhead cams and a super charger...how about a Corvette! I had to keep repeating, no, no, no, Yoli, I don’t think that stuff is for you…
Oh, and I was given…an envelope from Aunt Yoli, where is that…for me to read. Ahh, here it is. The hand writing is a little hard to read…
From Aunt Yoli, “Please inform my family that Hector is my favorite brother! Please inform them that anyone that argues or protests this will receive all of my old socks from my estate! I don’t care for people lying.
Rosa Davis - Aunt Rosy
Dearest Fabbi and Juillerat Families,
Our hearts and prayers are with you! We will all miss Yolanda and always carry in our hearts the memories of how she touched each of our lives. She was a truly kind and graceful woman and certainly an inspiration to me personally. She will always be in my prayers.
Regardless of the distance, my family and I are here for you. May God truly bless you and bring you Peace.
Rosa
A Prayer for You
I said a prayer for you today.
I hope you didn't mind.
I asked the Lord to comfort you
and put your tears behind.
I prayed for peace and mercy, too,
to help you through each day,
And for His loving guidance
as He leads you on your way.
You need not walk this path alone
so I prayed He'd hold your hand,
and offer you some guidance
in a way you'll understand.
I asked Him for little miracles
and to bless you every day.
Keep searching for the Rainbows -
and let Him light your way.
© Ferna Lary Mills
FABBIs’ & Family
Shari:
"I couldn't say a million words to express all of the life's lessons that I learned from Yoli, most of them simply from her example. She taught me that when you make something special for someone and you give it away, you need to give it away freely. Thank you for giving me my precious husband, your son. My mother - in - law, my mentor, my friend, I will miss you deeply."
Kayla:
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
"Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not rude, it is not self seeking. It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes and always perseveres."
Those are the perfect words to describe my grandma. She is my hero. Over the years I became very close with her, she was someone I trusted, respected and looked up to. One thing that stood out was the way she looked at the world. No matter happened, though her life was not perfect, she was always happy and never turned her back on God. She raised some of the most wonderful people I know with hearts as generous as hers. She also was always there for me, we talked about many things and she came to most if not all of my dance recitals, football and volleyball games.
Some of my favorite memories with her was when we'd go on trips. Our family went on a trip to Disney world, Granna came with us. She was full of life. I have never seen a grandma that could keep up with all 6 of us (8 if you count my dad and uncle Jaime.) She'd say, "I'm not going to let a four year old beat me." The one thing I'll miss is her creativity. The way she could turn any situation into something fantastic. Also, we'd always talk about the day I was to get married and how she'd help pick out my dress and modify it if it wasn't perfect.
Though she won't be here in person.... I know she'll watch over me and be with me as I grow and live life.... I hope my life will be as fully lived as hers was.
Amanda:
Granna taught me hard work, and how to have a ton of fun! She always was out to serve others always. No matter how tired she was, she always made sure everyone was as happy as they could be!
Mundo:
Mom taught me to swear. She'd say, "Oh, DANG-IT! I never swore before I had you kids!"
Mom taught me to drink. She always had a glass of wine while cooking with friends. Bigger dinners require more wine.
Mom taught me to lie. She could keep presents a secret for months without even a peep.
Mom taught me to speed. She thought 5mph over the speed limit was just fine.
Teresa:
From watching the way you lived, Mom, you taught me to be a dancer. A dancer is graceful, strong, passionate, hard-working, confident, adventurous, mischievous, and joyful. A dancer selflessly gives to others and loves with all her heart.
Thank you so much for being you, Mom, and showing me how to be me. I love you.
From Courtney and Danielle:
We remember Granna's little house behind the Chinese house. She would take us for walks along the path, and she would take us to the fish. She always told us that the fish wouldn't bite when we put our fingers in the pond. She always let us play Putt Putt on her computer.
Cameron:
One of my favorite memories was making homemade pizza with Granna. She let me make it however I wanted. She was always very nice and very happy. I love her so much.
Mackenzie:
I will always remember when Granna played Ticket to Ride with us. She always smiled and laughed through the whole game. One time she "accidentally" dropped one of her game pieces and she won. When we were picking up the game we found on a Granna's pieces under her chair. We started laughing and teasing her saying she cheated. My favorite times with her were when we hugged. I always felt safer when I hugged her.
Sandy:
As a friend Yoli shared her family and our grandchildren freely with me, the other Grandma. We had a special bond as we shared our "first grand-parenting" together. She welcomed my family into her heart made all of feel special.
Jamie:
I will never forget the trip Yoli and Carol made to Madison last November. We had so much fun playing games and just visiting. One of my most special memories came from our evening watching the Trans Siberian Orchestra.
From your Vegas Nieces:
You were always creative and it was never boring. We will never forget our Easter scavenger hunt for our breakfast that ended with Green Eggs and Ham.
Your backyard in Sunnyvale was always an adventure with veggies, fruit, and Ginny Pigs.
Being in Virginia and eating breakfast with mixed cereal.
We are glad you taught us how to make the painted cookies.
We never doubted the love Aunt Yoli always gave her great nieces and nephews.
Dee Hernandez (Shari's mom)
One of my favorite stories is about a trip Yoli, Teresa and I took in July,1986. Shari and Mundo made arrangements for us to fly to Enterprise, Alabama (Mundo was stationed at Fort Rucker with the Air National Guard), so we could share and be a part of their wedding.
Being at Shari & Mundo's wedding was such a beautiful and special time for us, we laughed, cried, and hugged each other because we were so happy for them and we became Mother-In-Laws.
This was only one little story, there are so many more. We shared so much; the birth of our Granddaughters Kayla and Amanda, birthdays, holidays, the girls recitals and activities (which included taking pictures and cheering them on). We especially loved the holidays when Yoli would bring her cranberry sauce, jello dish, and her beautiful yeast rolls. What a cook she was! Yoli not only cooked well, and quilted, but she also made beautiful cards for her family and friends. I received a card for one of my birthdays and will treasure it forever.
Yoli was my Friend and anytime I could be with her was very special. I learned a lot about patience, and not worrying about something you had no control over. I admired Yoli for all she accomplished, because she was always looking forward not back.
My Husband Danny and I will miss Yoli very much, but know we will be seeing her again someday. She will always be in our hearts and when we are all together for special occasions, etc., she will be there sharing with us.
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