Yolanda Messa

Yolanda Messa, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend to many, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 24, 2012, surrounded by her family. She was recently widowed from her husband Daniel Messa after 40 years of marriage. She was born on December 15, 1939, to Rudolph and Mary Mendoza. A native Houstonian, she was raised in the Heights, graduated from Jeff Davis High School and attended the University of Houston while working at the U.S. Postal Service. After choosing to stay home to raise her seven children, she began her career later in life, working as a substitute teacher at Reagan High School before working at, and retiring from, de Madres a Madres. Yolanda enjoyed being active and was on the board in various capacities for many years with St. Joseph Catholic Church; the PTA at Travis Elementary School, Hogg Middle School, and Reagan High School; Norhill Little League, and almost every other organization where her children or grandchildren were involved. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, making sure every event was captured by taking many pictures. Yolanda was always ready to help others and was known for her generous spirit and friendly demeanor. She was preceded in death by her father; husband; and brother, Tony Mendoza. She is survived by her mother; sons, Anthony (Martha), Steven, Michael (Christine), David (Maria), Corey, and Robert (Dolores) Messa; daughter, Michele (Cuauhtemoc) Tellez; step-sons Joe (Sharon), Danny (Michelle), Tony; 25 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; brothers, Rudolph (Connie), Robert (Paula) Mendoza; sister, Linda (John) Castillo; and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 30, 2012, from 2:00PM to 8:00PM, at Heights Funeral Home, with a rosary to be recited at 6:00PM. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Monday, December 31, 2012, at 10:00AM, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1505 Kane Street. Interment will follow at Hollywood Cemetery.