Yolanda Marino

Ann Arbor, MI

Age 76, passed away on Tuesday, August 20, 2019 with her family by her side. Yolanda was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico on July 14, 1943, the daughter of Ernesto and Isabel (Grillo) Lizardi. She attended the University of Puerto Rico in Rio Piedras, graduating with a B. S. in Chemistry. In 1965, Yolanda went to Penn State University for graduate work. There she met the man who would become her husband, Joseph P. Marino. She received an M.S. in Chemistry from Penn State in 1967, the same year she and Joe married, and they then moved to Cambridge, Mass. where Joe was a postdoctoral student at Harvard. In 1969 they came to the University of Michigan, where Joe began his academic career as an Assistant Professor. Yolanda and Joe spent 33 years at the University of Michigan, raising their three children, Joseph Jr., Yolanda and Sylvia in Ann Arbor. For twenty years, Yolanda was involved at the U in student recruitment and retention of minority students in the College of Literature, Sciences & Arts. From there she spent many years in the Institute of Public Policy as an administrative assistant for students, especially students seeking a master’s degree in Public Policy. Yolanda was always devoted to student and academic issues, as well as justice and rights for all people. In 2003, Yolanda and Joe moved to the University of Notre Dame after Joe became Dean of Science. Once again, Yolanda sought out programs for minority students and joined the Institute of Latino Students for the University as an administrative assistant to the Director. After ten years, she retired from this role and in 2014, she and Joe moved back to Ann Arbor. Yolanda loved to travel and learn about people. She was an avid reader and scholar of history, especially Caribbean history. She also loved art and music of the Caribbean. In addition to being a devoted mother to her three children, she doted over her six grandchildren, Nicholas Swartz, Michael and Andrew Marino, and Isabel, Stella, and Gabriela Chapman. Yolanda often went to her grandchildren’s sports activities and followed their progress and accomplishments. She was a role model for strength and perseverance. In addition to Joe, her husband of 52 years (75), she is survived by her children Joe (51), Yolanda (49), and Sylvia (45), grandchildren Nick (19), Michael (15), Andrew (12), Isabel (14), Stella (13), and Gaby (10), and sons in law Todd Swartz of Caledonia, MI (49) and Doug Chapman of Ann Arbor (49). She is also survived by her sister, Ileana Corral and brother, Ernesto Lizardi, Jr., both of whom reside in Puerto Rico. A funeral service will be 11 AM, Monday, August 26, 2019 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 2250 E Stadium Blvd, Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Burial will follow in Forest Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends Sunday, August 25 from 3 PM to 5 PM at Muehlig Funeral Chapel and at the church from 10:30 AM until time of service Monday.