Yolanda M. Ritchey

A lifelong policewoman and educator, my mother was far more concerned with the wellbeing of others than she was her own. After graduating from Southwest Texas State University in 1986 with a degree in Criminal Justice, she began her career as an Austin policewoman. This path largely shaped the rest of her life; law enforcement was her passion, strength, and, undeniably, her calling.

During her time in Austin, Yolanda met and married my father. For the next several years, she stayed home to take care of her three children. She was a loving and attentive stay-at-home mom until her unrelenting drive led her to return to work – this time, as a teacher.

Yolanda was inevitably drawn back to law enforcement and took a position teaching criminal justice classes to students at Memorial High School. In teaching, she found a way to give a new kind of guidance; she loved her students as a mother and protector, often crawling out of bed in the early hours of the morning to answer phone calls from those who needed and trusted her direction. She ended her career as an educator at Victoria West High School, where she served three years as an Assistant Principal. She was, additionally, an avid and persistent runner, participating in several half-marathons and 5K events throughout her life.

Yolanda leaves behind her three children, Gage, Payton, and Gunnar, her husband, Thomas, her mother, Felicitas Medrano, and four brothers and sisters. She also leaves behind countless aunts, uncles, friends, co-workers, and former students. We all loved her, cherished her, and are blessed to have her look over us now as she always has.

Her services will take place at LifePointe Baptist Church at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 21, 2016, followed by a procession to Noble San Jose Cemetery in Fannin.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com