Yolanda Garza

Yolanda was the youngest daughter of the late Israel and Eliodora B. Perez, born on April 14, 1966 in Miguel Aleman, Tamaulipas, Mexico. She grew up in McAllen, TX with her parents and 7 older siblings. As part of a migrant household, Yoli would travel to California and work in the fields with her family. She graduated from McAllen High School in 1984.

She married to Esteban Garza in August of 1984. They immediately started a family with Vanessa Lizeth born in 1985, followed by Veronica Lynette followed in 1986, and finally, Victoria Lorraine was born in 1989. They were longtime residents of the Linn-San Manuel community where their daughters grew up and attended school. They were married 15 years.

Shortly after, Yoli met Jose G. “Joey” Martinez and they were inseparable for the next 20 years, until her death. Gustavo Gabriel was born in 2003 and Javier Armando surprised everyone with his arrival in 2004. They resided in Edinburg, for most of their marriage until they moved to San Juan, where she was caring for her beloved in-laws, Fernando and Anita Martinez. Yolanda’s family was complete. She loved having all of her children together and making her famous breakfast omelets for them. There was always an adventure to take, from last minute trips to Wichita, Oklahoma, family vacations to San Antonio and Hawaii, fishing trips and pool days with her boys, tubing the rivers in San Marcos, but most of all, she loved the beach. Another thing she shared with all her children was a love of music. Everything from Little Joe y La Familia, Grupo Mazz, Alan Jackson, Kenny Chesney, Sounds of the 70s, Jimi Hendrix and The Doors just to name a few.

The happiness was short-lived when her baby boy, Javier Armando, was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma. After a very hard battle with this cancer, Javi passed away in November 2017. It was a very hard time for her and her family. After some time, she retired from her career as a secretary at San Carlos Elementary just before she, herself, was diagnosed with cancer. Her spirit, strength, and compassion touched everyone she came into contact with. She truly never met a stranger and will be sorely missed.

With her family by her side, she joined her son, Javi, in heaven.

She is survived by her husband, Jose G. Martinez; daughters, Vanessa (Israel) Cavazos, Veronica (Claudio) Esquivel, and Victoria Garza; and son, Gustavo (Anelyda) Martinez. She leaves 6 grandchildren: Paulo, Lia, Jade, Amalia, Wyberto, and Arabella. Her siblings, Idalia (Reynaldo) Gonzalez, Lupita (Roy) Becerra, Evelia Morales, Israel (Rosa Maria) Perez, Oneida (Joe) Saldivar, Dora Elia (Francisco) Rivera, and Isauro (Maria) Perez. Her in-laws, Fernando and Anita Martinez, brothers in-law and sisters in-law. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmvalleyfh.com for the Garza family.