Yolande A Margolin

Yolande Margolin (nee Artz) passed away January 31, 2026. Born to Annette and Harry Artz, Yolande spent her life caring for others. Whether it was her two brothers, Dr. Ronald and J. Sheldon Artz (deceased), her three children, David (deceased), Betsy, and Kathy (deceased), or, most importantly, some might say, her husband, Marvin Margolin, she was always there to support and love each one of her family members. At 87, her unconditional love extended far beyond the reaches of her immediate family to include her sisters-in-law Marilyn Artz and Jan Jones Artz, son and daughter-in-law Craig Richter (Betsy) and Dr. Jeanne Margolin (David), and the truest apples of her eye, her four grandchildren, Elizabeth, Eric, Matthew, and Alex. She never failed to show up for each one, attending everything she could. While most of her family might question her style choices, Yolande had a love for fashion, always bedecked in colorful clothes and jewelry. Insanely talented in the kitchen, Yolande (Yoyo, as her grandkids called her) always impressed those around her, whipping up delectable meals. She led her family with poise, intelligence, and kindness. A daughter, a mother, a grandmother, an aunt, and a friend, she was so much more than just what she was to her family.

Yolande was a teacher. Not only to her family, but also to the many children she inspired through her work with the Cleveland Board of Education and as a substitute teacher. After graduating from Cleveland Heights High School, she went on to receive a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and a master's degree from Case Western Reserve University. If you ask her family, she was also the first person to receive a medical degree without having attended any sort of medical school. To the students who knew her, Yolande was a beacon of hope and an inspiration, even if she did accidentally play the wrong Call of the Wild once. She guided them through the standard subjects and also through life. Truly, Yolande touched the hearts and minds of everybody she met.

A lifelong game player, Yolande loved playing mahjong and bridge, even attending tournaments later in life, though her favorite game may have been a slot machine. She was an avid reader, always willing to discuss the book she read or listened to with anyone she met, especially her personal book club, Megan Kirley. She loved the theatre and movies, frequently attending both. She always had her nails done, making sure to show off fun colors. She was a traveler, exploring the world with her family and friends.

She is survived by the myriads of people in her life who will never forget her (taxidermized or not).

Services will be held at Mayfield Cemetery, 2749 Mayfield Rd., Cleveland Hts., Thursday, February 5 at 10:00AM. Family requests no Visitation.

Donations can be made to Dr. David A Margolin Colon and Rectal Surgery Professorship Fund at Ochsner Health Department of Philanthropy 1514 Jefferson Highway #1E617 New Orleans, LA 7012 Or The Shelly Artz Fund at Lifebanc 4775 Richmond Rd Cleveland Ohio 44128.