Yolanda Gonzales-Cordero

Yolanda Gonzales-Cordero was born in Mexico City, Mexico. Her father always impressed upon her the necessity to further her education. At the age of 12 she and her sister were given the opportunity to attend boarding school (Francis de Paul) at Hollywood High School in Hollywood, CA. After graduation from Hollywood High, she attended Los Angeles State College and completed a BA in Music, Science and Spanish. Yolanda became a naturalized citizen in 1958 and accepted a teaching position in the Alahambra School Disrict at San Gabriel High School. Always a high achiever with a quest for higher learning resulted in subsequently earning 4 Masters Degrees. These were put to great use utilizing her teaching talents in the Alhambra School District for 32 years. Yoly always prided herself with the fact that in 32 years of teaching, she never took a sick day.

Yoly’s greatest love was Music, Music, Music! She was a classically trained mezzo soprano. She performed numerous times in the Hollywood Bowl and was a regular soloist at Hollywood Methodist Church under the Direction of Dr. Norman Wright and later at First United Methodist Church in Billings.

After retiring from teaching in 1991, Yolanda moved with her Mother to Montana to be near family. She found joy attending Billings Symphony, serving in Hispanic Ministries, and being with family. Yolanda was a member of Alpha Delta Iota Music Sorority, AAUW, Church Women United, and The First United Methodist Church in Billings.

Yoly passed away Saturday, February 2, 2019 surrounded by her family. She is survived by her sister Irma (Dr. Lee) Richardson of Laurel, nieces Dr. Victoria (Ramón) Uribe of Elmhurst, IL , and Rosalee (Jeff) Rupp of Laurel, and great nieces Cristina and Gabriela Uribe and Rachael and Elizabeth Rupp. She was preceded in death by her father, Dr. Joaquín Gonzales-Cordero, in 1964 and her Mother, Consuelo Gonzales-Cordero, in 1996.

A private family memorial will be held at a later date.

The family would like to thank Stillwater Hospice and the incredible staff of Canyon Creek Memory Care Center and The Richardson Cottage. Memorials can be sent to Stillwater Hospice or Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter.