Yolanda M. Arista

“The world has lost a great person, but heaven just gained a great angel.” The family of Yolanda M. Arista Ph.D. sorrowfully informs you of her passing on the evening of August 10th. Whether you knew her as Yol, Yoyo, Yoli, or Nana, Yolanda was a dedicated speech-language pathologist giving of her time and patience for over 25 years. Yolanda, a native Texan, was a member of W.T. White’s graduating class of 1972 (Hook ‘Em Horns). She continued her education at the Texas Women’s University earning her B.S. and M.A. Because education was very important to her, she crossed the red river to earn her Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma (Boomer Sooner). Yolanda loved to attend the Texas State fair, was an avid reader, loved to play scrabble, was a member of Toastmasters International, was fond of Star Trek and watching live musicals, and enjoyed vacationing on the Galveston coast. She was helpful and a loving individual toward all of her nieces, nephews, and grand-nephews. When her nieces and nephews were younger, she would pick them up early on Fridays and treat them to an afternoon snack of their choosing, as well as spending time with them watching movies, playing board games, doing puzzles, or reading. As they grew older, she was always a supporter at their sporting events, band concerts, dance recitals, and many other extra-curricular activities. Yolanda was a dedicated and caring, daughter of the late Thomas and Alice Arista Jr., sister, sister-in-law, aunt, and great aunt and is survived by her sisters Nancy and Lisa, and her brother Tom, her nieces and nephews, and grand-nephews, friends and extended family. A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday, August 22 at 11:00 AM at American Legion, 2755 Bachman Dr. Dallas, 75220. "In lieu of flowers, because of Yolanda’s love of animals, the family has set up a memorial fund with "Operation Kindness," a no-kill animal shelter in Carrollton, Texas. Please use the following email address as the recipient’s email [email protected]. Operation Kindness can also be reached at (972) 418-7297."