Yolanda Maria Vankoughnet

1943 - 2017

Yolanda Maria Vankoughnet, 73, entered into eternal peace on Friday, February 17, 2017, at the Halifax Health Hospice, Port Orange, Florida. Yolanda was born on October 8, 1943 in Bogota, Colombia, a daughter of Bernardo Barona and Milly Carvajal. After graduating school, she worked for a time as a receptionist for a Steel company in Cali, Colombia. In 1972, Yolanda immigrated to the United States and settled in Miami and later relocated to the Central Florida area. She married the late William Petroccio in 1973 in Miami, Florida. Besides her passion and delight for family and friends, Yolanda was an artist extraordinaire. Of all the art forms she practiced, she cared most about sculpting and doll making. She participated in international, national and local art shows, winning numerous awards. Also, she used her vast expertise and experience in doll making to teach at various local, national and international doll making workshops. Other interests Yolanda had were classical music and opera, about which she was thoroughly knowledgeable. Not only was she proficient in her native language of Spanish, but she was also proficient in English, French, and Italian which she put to good use on her many trips to Europe over the years. Yolanda is survived by her husband, Lyle Vankoughnet, Port Orange, FL; daughters: Angela Petroccio, Port Orange, FL and Michelle Petroccio, Deland, FL; brothers: Gustavo Barona, Rodrigo Barona, and Guillermo Barona, all of Cali, Colombia; grandson Kyle Wright, Port Orange, FL; stepdaughters: Margaret Petroccio McCarthy and Nancy Petroccio McCarthy, both of Connecticut; nieces: Isabel Barona Vivas, New York City; and Beatriz Barona Bayona, Cali, Colombia; nephew Jose Rodrigo Barona, Cali, Colombia and numerous other relatives. A Funeral Mass is planned to be conducted at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church, Port Orange, FL, at 8:30 AM on March 8, 2017. In addition, a Memorial Service is planned to be held at the Relevant Church, 920 Beville Rd., Daytona Beach, FL on Sunday, March 5, 2017, at 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Halifax Health-Hospice-Fund Development, 1800 Woodbriar Trail, Port Orange, FL 32129.