Yolanda A. Talamantes

Our precious mother, Yolanda Arciniega Talamantes, passed away peacefully in her home on September 2, 2024. She was surrounded by her eight children, who cherished and adored her. Born in El Paso, Texas, on November 24, 1924, to Paz Vela Arciniega and Rufino Arciniega; mom grew up in the Segundo Barrio and attended St. Joseph’s Academy. She was preceded in death by her first husband, El Paso Police Detective, Rafael Marmolejo Jr.; her second husband, Jesus “Chuy” Talamantes; six siblings; and her two grandsons Rene Xavier Aguilar Jr. and Jeremy Adam Talamantes.

Mother’s love of travel took her abroad to China, Mexico, Italy, Spain, and France. She particularly enjoyed visiting her children living in San Francisco, St. Louis, Denver, Minnesota, and San Antonio; along with vacations to Disneyland and Hawaii. Mom had a flair for fashion and worked at Acme Outlet for 15 years, retiring in 1993. She would spend countless hours watching classical Hollywood cinema and working in her word search books.

Our mother will be remembered for her unwavering faith, kind heart, generous soul, and devotion to her family. She was committed to teaching her children values of resilience, perseverance and compassion. Whether it was giving her grandbabies their first baths, playing basketball with her grandchildren, or providing encouragement and support to her children before interviews, tests or presentations, our mother was nothing more than pure joy and love. We are blessed beyond words for her beautiful life.

Our Mother is survived by her eight children Cecilia Cervantes (Hermes), Yvonne Loftin (Prentice), Rebecca Kowalewski (Fred+), Yolanda Aguilar (Rene), Joseph Talamantes (Ida), Melissa Talamantes (Rafael), Michael Talamantes (Lisa), and Jerry Talamantes. Affectionately known as Grandmama or Gram to her 17 grandchildren: Walter, Phillip, Daniel, Michelle, Rafael, David, Regina, Rachel, Ziomara, Marisa, Joseph, Matthew, Sarah, Aliana, Jessica, Daniela, and Alejandro; her 13 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Our family is especially grateful to the caregivers, medical providers, hospice nurses and case managers from Bienvivir Senior Health Services for their dedicated care of our dear mother; and we especially thank our mom’s private caregiver, Leticia Cano.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in our mother’s name, to the Sisters of Loretto Motherhouse, 515 Nerinx Rd., Nerinx, KY 40049 (lorettocommunity.org) or to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 3729 Hueco St., El Paso, TX 79903.

Visitation will be held Monday, September 16, 2024, from 5:00PM to 9:00PM with recitation of the rosary at 6:30PM at Martin Funeral Home-West, 128 Resler, 79912. Rosary services may be live streamed through Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MartinFuneralHomeWest/. Funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at 11:00AM at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 3729 Hueco Ave. Mom's grandsons will proudly serve as pallbearers. Interment will immediately follow at Fort Bliss National Cemetery.