Yolanda Ghilotti

Yolanda Mary Ghilotti Peacefully passed away on Sunday, February 19, 2012 at Marin General Hospital of natural causes. Yolanda was born on January 13, 1920 in Petaluma, California. Her parents, Angelo and Luisa Fadelli, had immigrated from Pordenone Italy. Yolanda was the fourth of five children. Yolanda's mother died when she was 11 years old and her older sister Jennie quit high school to help her father raise Yolanda and Ernie. In spite of her mother's death, Yolanda had happy memories of her early life, and remained close to her siblings for her entire life. When she was 15, Yolanda went with her sisters to a Boyes Hot Springs dance in Sonoma. There she met the love of her life, Dino Ghilotti that began a love affair lasting 46 years. After World War II Yolanda and Dino married and eventually settled in San Rafael, where they proudly raised three children. Yolanda was a wonderful and fun loving mother; who was very happy in the mornings, much to her children's annoyance. As a homemaker she created a thriving environment for her family while her husband worked long hours in the family business. Yolanda and Dino always welcomed their children's friends into their home, and Yolanda was well loved by all. She and Dino had many friends in Marin, and their weekends were spent enjoying their life with their family and friends. Yolanda started playing golf, and as a couple, they shared and enjoyed many golf adventures. After Dino's untimely death in 1990, she frequently played at the Meadow Club . Yolanda and Dino started traveling in 1972 when they took their first trip to Italy. After that, they traveled to many destinations, and after Dino's death, Yolanda continued to travel with tour groups and her close friends. Yolanda lived a long and happy life surrounded by her family and many friends. She adored her beloved husband and family. She is survived by her daughters, Diane Ongaro and Linda Ghilotti, and son Richard Ghilotti (Nancy). She is also survived by her grandchildren Brian Ongaro (Amy); Shannon Ongaro, Michelle Mandel (Josh), William Ghilotti (Rochelle), Dino Ghilotti, and John Gotti. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren Claire, Andrew, Nolan, and Jayden. Yolanda is also survived by her cherished sister, Jennie Calegari and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her much loved son-in-law Richard Ongaro, her brothers Frank and Ernie, and her dear sister Angelina. Yolanda's family would like to thank Rowena Peneyra for her friendship, and for her gracious and extraordinarily loving care to our mother these last ten months. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Monday, February 27th at St. Raphael Church in San Rafael at 11 am. Donations can be made to the Dino J. Ghilotti Foundation, 3250 Sacramento St. #2, San Francisco, CA 95115, or to a charity or your choice. Interment will be private at Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery in San Rafael. Monte's Chapel Of The Hills San Anselmo (415)453-8440