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Yolanda Arellano Obituary
Nurturing, caring, sharing, selfless and "everyone's mentor" describe Yolanda "Yolie" Arellano - a loving wife, sister, aunt, cousin, mother figure to all, and personal friend and confidant - who went to be with our Lord on July 22, 2022. She was 75.
Born in San Antonio on March 11, 1947, to Ascension and Angelita Narvaez, Yolie attended St. James the Apostle Catholic School and graduated from St. Francis Academy. An outstanding athlete, she excelled in volleyball.
"She was always one of the tallest at St. Francis and it was really difficult for me to return her powerful serves due to my short stature," said City Clerk Emeritus Norma Rodriguez.
Before landing her career-making job at Waterman Broadcasting, the owner of powerhouse radio stations KTSA/KTFM, Yolie was a cashier at Piggly Wiggly on Nogalitos Avenue and then a secretary at both Save Cleaners and Laundry and Sunglo Fina.
She took her secretarial skills to KTSA/KTFM in 1971. But she soon parlayed those skills and was promoted to public affairs and promotions director, bridging the stations with community and city leaders.
She worked with Sonny Melendrez, Bruce Hathaway, Charlie Brown, Ricci Ware, Trey Ware, Hector Reyes, Sonny Rio, Drax, Bonnie Garcia, Dave Rios and other radio luminaries to help plan the largest community events, including the citywide New Year's Eve party and Fourth of July celebrations. More than 40 years ago, she helped plan and organize the first Holiday River Parade, which continues to be one of the city's most popular holiday traditions.
Yolie involved the radio stations in numerous charitable fundraising projects, including Telethon Navideño, Teach the Children, Raul Jimenez Thanksgiving Dinner, the Muscular Dystrophy Association Labor Day Telethon and the Tower Climb to fight Cystic Fibrosis. If there was a major event in San Antonio, she made sure that KTSA and KTFM were involved.
She was one of the host committee chairpersons for Pope John Paul II's visit in 1987, which drew 350,000 people to an outdoor Mass at Westover Hills. Prior to that historic visit by Pope John Paul II, now St. John Paul II, Yolie and Melendrez traveled to Rome for a papal audience.
A mentor to many, Yolie saw potential in others when they couldn't see it in themselves. She made introductions. She opened doors. She enjoyed helping others succeed. While working at KTSA/KTFM, Yolie studied Radio-TV-Film at San Antonio College where she met Elizabeth Ruiz, a journalism student who was giving a speech.
"Yolie came up to me after class and we spoke for a short while. Little did I know that when she went back to work at KTSA that day she told the news director about me, which led to my 40-year career in radio," Ruiz said.
Journalist Michael Quintanilla, who has written for the Los Angeles Times, Dallas Morning News and the San Antonio Express-News, recalled how Yolie approached him early in his career and told him she wanted to introduce him around town.
"She told me, 'I will help open doors for you because I believe in your talent, but you will have to walk through them.' That's something I've done for others now - all because of Yolie," Quintanilla said.
Her lifelong passion was to better her neighborhood and the entire San Antonio community, even making it into the City Council District 7 runoff in 1993.
"I remember when I met the daughter of Sam Walton," Rodriguez said. "It was Yolie who brought her into the office to get the permits and assistance she needed to open up the first Sam's Club in San Antonio."
Yolie volunteered for numerous nonprofit organizations and served on many boards and commissions: Barrio Betterment, West Side Coalition, Communities Organized for Public Service, City Board of Adjustments, SER Texas Workforce Center, San Antonio Food Bank, GED Fabulous Holiday Brunch, San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau, San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Sesquicentennial Committee, San Antonio chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Archbishop Patrick Flores' brunch benefiting the Women's Shelter, Mayor's Commission on the Status of Women, the Advisory Council of the University Center for Community Health, the Arthritis Foundation and the San Antonio Diabetes Awareness and Education in the Community Project.
She also served as chairwoman of the San Antonio City Zoning Commission, Mexican-American Unity Council, Arts and Culture Advisory Committee and San Antonio Festival.
Yolie helped legendary KTSA Radio newsman Logan Stewart raise enough funds to become Rey Feo XXXII in 1980. It resulted in Rey Feo becoming an official part of Fiesta San Antonio and the founding of the Rey Feo Consejo Educational Foundation. Yolie later played an essential role in scholarship fundraising efforts for Rey Feo XLI Melendrez. She also received the Royal Order of the Cabrito medal for her Rey Feo contributions.
"Yolie's greatest gift was helping others to connect with those who would further their journey, while asking for nothing in return," Melendrez said. "Her strength, passion and love of our city was evident in her countless civic accomplishments. For so many, she was the 'favorite daughter' of San Antonio."
After 20 years at Waterman Broadcasting, Yolie left the radio business and launched her own public relations firm. In 1991, she was hired as executive director of the San Antonio Restaurant Association. Her new job included lobbying city and county leaders, state lawmakers and members of Congress, as well as planning major events and scholarship fundraisers for the association.
After her retirement in 2013, Yolie became quite the cook, serving up her husband's favorites - Spanish rice, roast, meatloaf, fideo loco, banana bread and Jell-O. She remained active in Las Madrinas, a group of professional women she brought together to mentor others.
Her "little cousin, David" confirms he would not be the person that he is today without his special relationship with Yolie.
"I have so much to thank Yolie for; both personally and professionally. We were 15 years apart so we weren't as close growing up. However, as I got older we established a true bond/connection. Our bond really started after I had just purchased my house in her beloved District 7. She decided to run for city council and I obviously agreed to support her once I interviewed all of the candidates of course. Since then we have grown closer and closer year after year.
I have always admired Yolie and have always looked up to her. She was always so confident and never backed down from a challenge. It was these attributes that motivated me to raise my own children in a similar manner. Yolie's parents made it a priority to send her to private school, and I wanted to mirror the way she was raised in hopes that my children would turn out as successful as she was.
Yolie always told it how it was. She taught me to have confidence when talking to those in a position of power. She reminded me that I did belong and constantly pushed me. She showed me that conflict isn't necessarily a bad thing. She proved that hard work, perseverance, and a relentless focus is the formula to knocking down barriers. She was not only my cousin, she was a sister, an aunt and mother in so many ways and my trusted friend and advisor."
She had been married to Abelardo "Abe "or "Lalo" Arellano since 1970. They met at a dance at Villita Assembly Hall.
"Yolanda was one of a kind," Abe/ Lalo Arellano said. "I am truly blessed to have been married to her for so many decades. She was my true-life partner who understood me like nobody else. We had so many great times together and we celebrated one another as we achieved several milestones throughout our lifetime."
Yolie was open not only to celebrating the couple's personal and professional achievements but working on their relationship, always keeping an open mind, her husband said.
"Her willingness to adapt and compromise is truly what kept us growing together over so many years. Forgiveness is not easy and only comes from strong individuals. That was Yolanda. A strong woman who didn't dwell on the problems but instead figured out the solution," he said. "Her commitment, strong work ethic and ability to connect with all walks of life truly made her special. I love Yolanda and am very grateful to be her life partner. Her kind heart will be missed but never forgotten."
Yolie worked in her garden, preferring purple bougainvillea and her favorite flower, the yellow rose. Next to her husband, the love of her life was Jeru, a chocolate Labrador.
For her many years of civic leadership and service to San Antonio, Yolie received numerous honors and awards. She was inducted into the San Antonio Women's Hall of Fame in 2003. She was recognized with the Latina Women in Action Award from La Prensa Foundation, Leadership Excellence Award from the Texas Restaurant Association, Outstanding Leadership Award from San Antonio Festival, Caring for Children Appreciation Award from St. Peter's St. Joseph's Children's Home, Mateo Carmargo Humanitarian Award from Centro Cultural Aztlán, Ford Hispanic Salute for Literacy in Education, Placa a la Solidaridad Internacional from the Mexican government; Hidalgo de San Antonio de Bejar from Bexar County Commissioners Court.
Yolie showed great courage in her battle with diabetes and other medical issues. Through the pain and suffering, she would smile and say, "It is what it is."
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ascension and Angelita Narvaez; her brother, Ascension Narvaez, Jr; her aunt Romanita Richie; her uncle Raymundo Montalvo; cousin, Carlos Richie, Jr.; and great cousin Benjamin James Morasco. She's survived by her husband, Abelardo C. Arellano; sisters Norma Morin (husband Ralph) and Patricia A. Narvaez; aunt Jesusita R. Lopez; nieces Connie Narvaez, Angela Martinez (Justin Cipriano), Tiffany Rae Morin-Cornish (Jared Cornish) and Michelle Martinez (Angel Terrazas); great nephews Jacob Narvaez and Jaxon Liam Cipriano; great niece Amelia Rose Terrazas; cousins Raul Richie, Oscar Lopez, David Lopez, Irma Morasco, and Cynthia Ann Lopez; great cousins Veronica, Albert, Lisa Marie, Jessica, and Joseph; great-great cousins Anaeli, Benjamin Albert, Juliana Grace, Jacob Lee, and Jackson James; her beloved Arellano Family; and numerous extended family and friends.
A private viewing for the immediate family is scheduled at 2 pm Thursday, Aug. 18, at Porter Loring Mortuary, 1101 McCullough Ave. Close friends of the family are invited at 3 pm and public visitation will take place from 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm.
ROSARY
THURSDAY,
AUGUST 18, 2022
6:00 PM
PORTER LORING CHAPEL
MASS
FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2022
11:00 AM
ST. JAMES THE APOSTILE CATHOLIC CHURCH
Fr. David Garcia to officiate. Interment will follow at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Saint Francis Academy Alumni Scholarship Fund, 364 Tower Road, San Antonio, Texas, 78223.
Yolie was a bright light in our city that keeps shining in those who knew her and loved her. She was one of a kind, one in a million.
You are invited to sign
the Guestbook at
www.porterloring.com
Arrangements with
Born in San Antonio on March 11, 1947, to Ascension and Angelita Narvaez, Yolie attended St. James the Apostle Catholic School and graduated from St. Francis Academy. An outstanding athlete, she excelled in volleyball.
"She was always one of the tallest at St. Francis and it was really difficult for me to return her powerful serves due to my short stature," said City Clerk Emeritus Norma Rodriguez.
Before landing her career-making job at Waterman Broadcasting, the owner of powerhouse radio stations KTSA/KTFM, Yolie was a cashier at Piggly Wiggly on Nogalitos Avenue and then a secretary at both Save Cleaners and Laundry and Sunglo Fina.
She took her secretarial skills to KTSA/KTFM in 1971. But she soon parlayed those skills and was promoted to public affairs and promotions director, bridging the stations with community and city leaders.
She worked with Sonny Melendrez, Bruce Hathaway, Charlie Brown, Ricci Ware, Trey Ware, Hector Reyes, Sonny Rio, Drax, Bonnie Garcia, Dave Rios and other radio luminaries to help plan the largest community events, including the citywide New Year's Eve party and Fourth of July celebrations. More than 40 years ago, she helped plan and organize the first Holiday River Parade, which continues to be one of the city's most popular holiday traditions.
Yolie involved the radio stations in numerous charitable fundraising projects, including Telethon Navideño, Teach the Children, Raul Jimenez Thanksgiving Dinner, the Muscular Dystrophy Association Labor Day Telethon and the Tower Climb to fight Cystic Fibrosis. If there was a major event in San Antonio, she made sure that KTSA and KTFM were involved.
She was one of the host committee chairpersons for Pope John Paul II's visit in 1987, which drew 350,000 people to an outdoor Mass at Westover Hills. Prior to that historic visit by Pope John Paul II, now St. John Paul II, Yolie and Melendrez traveled to Rome for a papal audience.
A mentor to many, Yolie saw potential in others when they couldn't see it in themselves. She made introductions. She opened doors. She enjoyed helping others succeed. While working at KTSA/KTFM, Yolie studied Radio-TV-Film at San Antonio College where she met Elizabeth Ruiz, a journalism student who was giving a speech.
"Yolie came up to me after class and we spoke for a short while. Little did I know that when she went back to work at KTSA that day she told the news director about me, which led to my 40-year career in radio," Ruiz said.
Journalist Michael Quintanilla, who has written for the Los Angeles Times, Dallas Morning News and the San Antonio Express-News, recalled how Yolie approached him early in his career and told him she wanted to introduce him around town.
"She told me, 'I will help open doors for you because I believe in your talent, but you will have to walk through them.' That's something I've done for others now - all because of Yolie," Quintanilla said.
Her lifelong passion was to better her neighborhood and the entire San Antonio community, even making it into the City Council District 7 runoff in 1993.
"I remember when I met the daughter of Sam Walton," Rodriguez said. "It was Yolie who brought her into the office to get the permits and assistance she needed to open up the first Sam's Club in San Antonio."
Yolie volunteered for numerous nonprofit organizations and served on many boards and commissions: Barrio Betterment, West Side Coalition, Communities Organized for Public Service, City Board of Adjustments, SER Texas Workforce Center, San Antonio Food Bank, GED Fabulous Holiday Brunch, San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau, San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Sesquicentennial Committee, San Antonio chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Archbishop Patrick Flores' brunch benefiting the Women's Shelter, Mayor's Commission on the Status of Women, the Advisory Council of the University Center for Community Health, the Arthritis Foundation and the San Antonio Diabetes Awareness and Education in the Community Project.
She also served as chairwoman of the San Antonio City Zoning Commission, Mexican-American Unity Council, Arts and Culture Advisory Committee and San Antonio Festival.
Yolie helped legendary KTSA Radio newsman Logan Stewart raise enough funds to become Rey Feo XXXII in 1980. It resulted in Rey Feo becoming an official part of Fiesta San Antonio and the founding of the Rey Feo Consejo Educational Foundation. Yolie later played an essential role in scholarship fundraising efforts for Rey Feo XLI Melendrez. She also received the Royal Order of the Cabrito medal for her Rey Feo contributions.
"Yolie's greatest gift was helping others to connect with those who would further their journey, while asking for nothing in return," Melendrez said. "Her strength, passion and love of our city was evident in her countless civic accomplishments. For so many, she was the 'favorite daughter' of San Antonio."
After 20 years at Waterman Broadcasting, Yolie left the radio business and launched her own public relations firm. In 1991, she was hired as executive director of the San Antonio Restaurant Association. Her new job included lobbying city and county leaders, state lawmakers and members of Congress, as well as planning major events and scholarship fundraisers for the association.
After her retirement in 2013, Yolie became quite the cook, serving up her husband's favorites - Spanish rice, roast, meatloaf, fideo loco, banana bread and Jell-O. She remained active in Las Madrinas, a group of professional women she brought together to mentor others.
Her "little cousin, David" confirms he would not be the person that he is today without his special relationship with Yolie.
"I have so much to thank Yolie for; both personally and professionally. We were 15 years apart so we weren't as close growing up. However, as I got older we established a true bond/connection. Our bond really started after I had just purchased my house in her beloved District 7. She decided to run for city council and I obviously agreed to support her once I interviewed all of the candidates of course. Since then we have grown closer and closer year after year.
I have always admired Yolie and have always looked up to her. She was always so confident and never backed down from a challenge. It was these attributes that motivated me to raise my own children in a similar manner. Yolie's parents made it a priority to send her to private school, and I wanted to mirror the way she was raised in hopes that my children would turn out as successful as she was.
Yolie always told it how it was. She taught me to have confidence when talking to those in a position of power. She reminded me that I did belong and constantly pushed me. She showed me that conflict isn't necessarily a bad thing. She proved that hard work, perseverance, and a relentless focus is the formula to knocking down barriers. She was not only my cousin, she was a sister, an aunt and mother in so many ways and my trusted friend and advisor."
She had been married to Abelardo "Abe "or "Lalo" Arellano since 1970. They met at a dance at Villita Assembly Hall.
"Yolanda was one of a kind," Abe/ Lalo Arellano said. "I am truly blessed to have been married to her for so many decades. She was my true-life partner who understood me like nobody else. We had so many great times together and we celebrated one another as we achieved several milestones throughout our lifetime."
Yolie was open not only to celebrating the couple's personal and professional achievements but working on their relationship, always keeping an open mind, her husband said.
"Her willingness to adapt and compromise is truly what kept us growing together over so many years. Forgiveness is not easy and only comes from strong individuals. That was Yolanda. A strong woman who didn't dwell on the problems but instead figured out the solution," he said. "Her commitment, strong work ethic and ability to connect with all walks of life truly made her special. I love Yolanda and am very grateful to be her life partner. Her kind heart will be missed but never forgotten."
Yolie worked in her garden, preferring purple bougainvillea and her favorite flower, the yellow rose. Next to her husband, the love of her life was Jeru, a chocolate Labrador.
For her many years of civic leadership and service to San Antonio, Yolie received numerous honors and awards. She was inducted into the San Antonio Women's Hall of Fame in 2003. She was recognized with the Latina Women in Action Award from La Prensa Foundation, Leadership Excellence Award from the Texas Restaurant Association, Outstanding Leadership Award from San Antonio Festival, Caring for Children Appreciation Award from St. Peter's St. Joseph's Children's Home, Mateo Carmargo Humanitarian Award from Centro Cultural Aztlán, Ford Hispanic Salute for Literacy in Education, Placa a la Solidaridad Internacional from the Mexican government; Hidalgo de San Antonio de Bejar from Bexar County Commissioners Court.
Yolie showed great courage in her battle with diabetes and other medical issues. Through the pain and suffering, she would smile and say, "It is what it is."
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ascension and Angelita Narvaez; her brother, Ascension Narvaez, Jr; her aunt Romanita Richie; her uncle Raymundo Montalvo; cousin, Carlos Richie, Jr.; and great cousin Benjamin James Morasco. She's survived by her husband, Abelardo C. Arellano; sisters Norma Morin (husband Ralph) and Patricia A. Narvaez; aunt Jesusita R. Lopez; nieces Connie Narvaez, Angela Martinez (Justin Cipriano), Tiffany Rae Morin-Cornish (Jared Cornish) and Michelle Martinez (Angel Terrazas); great nephews Jacob Narvaez and Jaxon Liam Cipriano; great niece Amelia Rose Terrazas; cousins Raul Richie, Oscar Lopez, David Lopez, Irma Morasco, and Cynthia Ann Lopez; great cousins Veronica, Albert, Lisa Marie, Jessica, and Joseph; great-great cousins Anaeli, Benjamin Albert, Juliana Grace, Jacob Lee, and Jackson James; her beloved Arellano Family; and numerous extended family and friends.
A private viewing for the immediate family is scheduled at 2 pm Thursday, Aug. 18, at Porter Loring Mortuary, 1101 McCullough Ave. Close friends of the family are invited at 3 pm and public visitation will take place from 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm.
ROSARY
THURSDAY,
AUGUST 18, 2022
6:00 PM
PORTER LORING CHAPEL
MASS
FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2022
11:00 AM
ST. JAMES THE APOSTILE CATHOLIC CHURCH
Fr. David Garcia to officiate. Interment will follow at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Saint Francis Academy Alumni Scholarship Fund, 364 Tower Road, San Antonio, Texas, 78223.
Yolie was a bright light in our city that keeps shining in those who knew her and loved her. She was one of a kind, one in a million.
You are invited to sign
the Guestbook at
www.porterloring.com
Arrangements with
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by San Antonio Express-News on Aug. 14, 2022.
Memories and Condolences
for Yolanda Arellano
Sponsored by Porter Loring Mortuary McCullough.
4 Entries
Simon H. Castillo & Family
December 12, 2023
Dear Yolie, our prayers are with you and your family in Christmas 2023. Be at Peace Yolie with GOD Almighty in Heaven. Amen.
Simón H. Castillo & Family
August 2, 2023
Dear Yolie, our prayers are with you and your family. Be at Peace Yolie with GOD Almighty in Heaven.
Simon H. Castillo & Family
October 12, 2022
Dear Yolie, our prayers are with you and your family. GOD Bless you for your outstanding endeavors in serving and helping many people in our San Antonio community. You are missed Yolie. Be at Peace Yolie with GOD Almighty in Heaven.
Irma Llanas-Garza
August 14, 2022
My sincere condolences to all the family & friends, I always admired her great accomplishments, even though I rarely saw Yolie I always read about all the great things she did for the City of San Antonio & especially for all the women, she is a great list for all that touch her. Yolie you are now truly an Angel. May you Rest In Peace
Long live all her accomplishments
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