Yolanda Abaña

Yolanda Abaña, nee Dotarot, the beloved wife of the late Jose Estigoy Abaña, formerly of Oakland, California, passed away on May 8, 2023 at the age of 87. Loving mother of son Jose William Abaña, of Cainta, Rizal, daughters Elizabeth Abaña-Traylor (Richard Traylor) of Oakland, CA, Maria Rowena Eleanor Griffin (James Griffin) of Anaheim, CA, Cheryl Lyn Abaña-Emmer (Bradley Clement) of New Orleans, LA, Stephanie Lorraine Cotton (Stacy Cotton) of Stockton, CA, and survived by five sisters (Virginia Castro, Natividad Posadas, Erlinda Escobar, Nilda Tumala, and Luz Dotarot. Yoly (Granny) was a treasured grandmother to 11 grandchildren, Michael Traylor (Anastasiya Traylor-Zdebska) Joaquin Abaña, Claudine Abaña, Lea Abaña, Nadine Abaña, KinJosh Sta. Maria, Fallon Emmer, Lennox Clement, Nailah-Monea Cotton, N’yialani-LaRae Cotton, and 1 great grandchild Sampson Mastroianni-Traylor.

Viewing will be held from 11am-1pm followed by Mass after 1pm on Saturday, May 13, 2023 at Transfiguration of the Lord Catholic Church, 5621 Elysian Fields Ave. New Orleans, LA 70122. Interment will be private and take place on July 6, 2023 at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. New Orleans, LA 70124.

Yoly loved and treasured the joy of traveling, dancing, and gardening. The thought of her dancing and reunited with her loving husband comforts us all.

Life is a dance of balance.

Life is creative falling.

Life is half spent getting back up.

Life is learning to dance with a partner-

And learning to dance without a partner,

And letting go enough to dance in the crowd.

Life is a freestyle jig.

Life is a twirl and a bow.

Life is the best dance you’ve ever danced

and the only chance you’ll get, so dance!

~Terri Guillemets