On February 9, 2024, the Lord called Yolanda G. Barajas home to her celestial family at the age of 82 years old. She was born on November 29, 1941 in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico. She was the 3rd oldest daughter of six siblings. She is proceeded in death by her parents Jesus Gomez Garza and Maria de Jesus Bernal Mata and 4 siblings, Hilda, Elida, Jesus and Armandina. She is survived by her husband of 59+ years, Jose G. Barajas as well as her daughter Yolanda N. Vargas and her husband Pedro, son Jose G. Barajas and his wife Elda Rueda, daughter Adriana P. Castillo and her husband Israel, daughter Veronica Devoreaux and her husband Todd G. Holtz, and her son Victor H. Barajas. Yolanda is also survived by ten grandchildren, Victoria, Carolina, Pedro, Katherine, Angelica, Yolanda, Alec, Sophia, Julianne and Ari. She is also survived by seven great grandchildren, Xavier, Aylah, Levi, Evelyn, Isaiah, Nevaeh and Isabella. She also leaves behind a younger brother, Juan Manuel Bernal.
In her early years, Yolanda attended school at Washington College of Business in Monterrey, Mexico, studying Business Administration. She worked for a law office until meeting the love of her life in 1962 and were married on January 31, 1965. Together they built a wonderful life, moving to Houston, Texas in 1976 along with their five children. She and her husband proudly became American Citizens in 1994. She was involved in many church organizations as well as working at St. Charles Borromeo, first at the school and then in the business office for over 25 years. Her lifetime achievement was recognized by the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, St. Charles Borromeo and the Altar Society on January 11, 2016. Her work ethic was passed on to her children, who went on to careers in Education, Aviation, Criminal Justice, the Medical Field and Business Administration, to name a few. Her advice was always sought by her children, who valued her opinions so.
Yolanda was considered the life of the party. As one of her friends described her, “When Yolanda arrived, she brought the joy!” That is the best description of our mother ever spoken. She was an avid dancer, world traveler, gambler, social butterfly, cook, gardener and shopper. Her sense of humor was unparalleled and contagious! But she could also be counted on for guidance and a shoulder to cry on.
In the last year of her life, she was diligently cared for by her children, her friends and the team at Vantage Hospice. Family from Mexico also traveled to see her and care for her, as well as our father. We want to thank everyone who supported us in this time. It is a true testament to the many lives our mother touched.
We wish to thank God for the gift of this wonderful woman, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. We also wish to thank all of our family and friends for the many prayers and continued support offered to us on behalf of our mother. It has sustained us and will continue to do so during this difficult time.
