Yolanda Diane Papasergia Griffiths

Yolanda was born July 26, 1933 in Fargo North Dakota. She was one of nine children born to her parents Salvatore and Nunziata "Nancy" Papasergia. She died peacefully at home on Friday, March 31, after spending her final days surrounded by her family.

Yolanda attended St Anthony's grade school and Sacred Heart Academy in Fargo, then moved with her family to Bakersfield, CA in 1949. She attended and graduated from Garces Memorial High School in 1951.

Yolanda was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church, Italian Catholic Federation (Branch 281), the Friends of Mercy Foundation Catherine McCauley Society, and the SPCA. She will be inducted into the Garces Alumni Hall of Honor later this month for her contributions and continuous support of Garces, and her children will be present to accept her induction on behalf of their mother. She enjoyed tennis and running in her younger years, loved to bake and knit, and attended hundreds of family gatherings, and sports and fundraiser events at Garces.

Yolanda was predeceased by her husband Paul Griffiths, her parents, brothers James Papasergia, Joseph Papasergia and his wife Margaret, John Papasergia, and Anthony Papasergia and his wife June; her sister Jansenia Rosendahl, and her brother-in-laws George Rosendahl, Chuck Todahl, Archie Parks, Art Wallace and John Griffiths. She is survived by her children Brian (Shirley) Griffiths, Dianne (Rick) Riley, James Griffiths, Nancy O'Dwyer, and Elizabeth (Greg) Petrini; her sisters Rosena Todahl, Maria Parks, and Joan Wallace, and sister-in-laws Mildred Papasergia and Ann Griffiths; her grandchildren Richard Griffiths, Monica Smith, Brad Griffiths, Victoria Riley, Griffin Riley, Sterling Riley, Nick and Drew Howell, Evan Noel, Madison Judkins, Natalie O'Dwyer, Emily O'Dwyer, Timothy O'Dwyer, Marco Petrini, Dominic Petrini and Gino Petrini; and great-grandchildren Audrey, Paige, Graham and Kennedy Smith, and Nathan, Allie, and Sammy Griffiths, as well as step-grandchildren, great- grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to all of the multi-generational living members of the Papasergia family and their in-laws, she will be missed by her dearest friends Lily Nahama, Margaret Renfro, Liz Blaine, Lucien and Jeanne Billet, as well as many other friends who were blessed to have been impacted by Yolanda's love and generosity. The family wishes to express appreciation to Dr. Nguyen and his loving staff for their many years of care and kindness.

Visitation for family only will be at Hillcrest Memorial Chapel on Thursday, April 6th from 4:00-8:00 pm. Her funeral will be at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church on Friday, April 7th at 11:00 am. Pall bearers are her grandsons Richard and Brad Griffiths, Griffin and Sterling Riley, Timothy O'Dwyer, and Marco, Dominic, and Gino Petrini. Donations in Yolanda's memory and honor can be made to Garces Memorial High School, St Vincent de Paul, the SPCA, or the charity of your choice .