Yolanda Sandoval -Rodriguez

An expressive, optimistic, and uninhibited individual, she was a performer in the theater of life. To everyone around her, she seemed to be eternally happy, and she willingly shared that joy with anyone whose life she touched. For Yolanda, bringing out the best in any situation was as easy as offering a smile, a witty remark or the twinkle of an eye. And with just those simple gestures, she could evoke the most pleasant of emotions. Yolanda really mastered the art of living and had great fun in doing so.

Yolanda was born on July 17, 1952 at Santa Marta Hospital and Clinic in Los Angeles, California. Her parents were Gabriel and Jennie Rivas. Yolanda was raised in La Puente, California. Even as a child, Yolanda had the ability to lift the spirits of all those around her. She was raised to be warm, caring and friendly. She couldn’t help but capture everyone’s attention. Yolanda was raised with four siblings. She had four older siblings Irene, Gabriel, Celia and Mary Helen.

All of Yolanda's playful good humor carried over into her childhood. She was possessed with an outgoing personality, a lively imagination and a mellowed enthusiasm for life that allowed her to be constantly on the go. As a result, Yolanda experienced a rather active childhood, and this suited her very well. She took part in Volleyball, Softball and Basketball. She was a Girl Scout. In her spare time she liked music. Yolanda's memorable achievements included lettering in Volleyball, Softball and Basketball in Junior High. Yolanda graduated from La Puente High School in 1971. She enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers.

Yolanda never actually encountered a stranger in her dealings with people. She was drawn to individuals and crowds, using her gregarious, adaptable and outgoing personality to captivate her audience. This quality allowed Yolanda to continually develop new relationships, ever widening her circle of friends. Yolanda delighted in her role among all her acquaintances, because she viewed them all as potential spectators for her performance. Whether it was a story, a joke, a song or just plain fooling around, Yolanda was always right at home putting on a show among her friends. Yolanda utilized her interest in others as a great way to connect with them. While growing up, some of her best friends were Martha and Anita. Yolanda loved sharing life and having her home filled with people she knew.

The gift of being emotionally expressive and outwardly affectionate made Yolanda very easy to approach. She tried hard not to impose on her spouse. She was always sensitive to other people’s feelings, and that was especially true in marriage.

Yolanda was blessed with three children, one son Adrian and two daughters Cecelia and Natalie. They were also blessed with two grandchildren, Jolene and Jeffrey. Yolanda had the ability to focus her attention on the present moment. If she was spending time with the kids, that’s where all of her attention was directed. Yolanda's compassionate side prevented her from being a strict disciplinarian, and she could turn just about any situation into a playful, learning experience. She could spend hours entertaining them with fun and creative play. In fact, Yolanda had a knack for turning some of those nasty old chores into games.

At work, as in life, Yolanda was a real “people person.” She had a very successful way of dealing effectively with others, and her enthusiasm and energy was often contagious. Yolanda liked to see herself as something of a virtuoso. When dealing with various projects and problems, Yolanda was an adaptable realist, using her common sense and trusting her experiences and impulses to uncover the correct answer. Yolanda's talent for being a down to earth thinker, allowed many around her to see Yolanda as an excellent problem solver. Her primary occupation was Medical Billing Manager.

Yolanda enjoyed her leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. Her favorite pursuits were hiking, running, dominoes, eating and anything Disney. Yolanda was content to enjoy her hobbies alone but was also willing to share her interests with others.

Yolanda felt excited and challenged by sports. Even if she wasn’t the best, Yolanda loved to participate and thoroughly enjoyed the competition and the pleasure of being around other people. Yolanda relished the opportunities where she could make an impact, and she would often push herself to play above her abilities. A quick thinker who understood the basics, Yolanda never seemed to get caught off guard, even when confronted with unexpected conflict. Recreational sports included jogging. Yolanda was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching her favorite events whenever she got the opportunity. Tops on her list were LA Dodgers.

A generous person who often wore her heart on her sleeve, Yolanda often found herself involved in activities she deemed important. She was charitable, kind and giving, qualities that made her a natural volunteer. Politically, Yolanda was Republican.

Vested with a deep concern for spiritual development, Yolanda recognized that her faith was important to her throughout her life. She was a member of Canyon Ridge Christian Church. She was a Sunday School Teacher at Calvary Chapel East.

Naturally outgoing and generous, Yolanda was regularly doing things for others. For her, the gift of giving to others was second nature. Though she never set out to gain individual recognition, Yolanda was given accolades for her many and varied accomplishments throughout her life. Some of her most prestigious awards included taking second place for her age group in a 5K.

Yolanda was a lover of animals and cherished her pets, enjoying them almost as much as she enjoyed being around other people. One of Yolanda's favorites was Sammy, a black cat. They were best friends for 18 years. Her family was rounded out by her cat Ruthie.

Yolanda passed away on January 7, 2015 at Mountain View Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada. Yolanda fought a brave battle against PNS. She is survived by her husband Michael Rodriguez, son Adrian, two daughters Cecelia and Natalie, two grandchildren Jolene and Jeffrey. Services were held at Palm Northwest Mortuary.

Yolanda brought joy to all of those around her. She never had a mean bone in her body. She loved to have a good time and was an eternal optimist, always looking on the bright side of things. She loved to share her energy, wit, and her zest for all of her activities with her friends and family. She will be remembered with a smile.