Yolanda Juanita Ruppel Kelley

Our Beautiful Matriarch, Yolanda Juanita Ruppel Kelley, 85, passed peacefully to the next life on November 8, 2025, surrounded by the presence of her loving and devoted husband, children, and grandchildren. Born in New Orleans on February 8, 1940, Yolanda was a beacon of light to all those she encountered throughout her incredible life.

In her early years, Yolanda attended John McDonogh #9 Elementary School. Her educational journey continued at Ursuline Academy, where as a Merry Mac, she made many lifelong friends. Her passion for sharing knowledge led her to St. Mary’s Dominican College where she earned her Bachelor of Education degree. Over the span of four decades, Yolanda nurtured a love of learning in children across New Orleans. Many of her summer months were dedicated to teaching struggling students to read, as she held the strong belief that literacy opens the doors to creativity and opportunity. She was a much beloved teacher at Charles Etienne Gayarre, New Orleans Academy, and Marie C. Couvent before becoming an integral member of the Sherwood Forest Elementary School faculty. During Yolanda’s nearly 30 years there, her principals and fellow teachers became more than coworkers, they were family. “Mrs. Kelley” inspired generations of students with her loving, compassionate, and joyful teaching style - the motto on her bulletin board was: “Each day is a new beginning!”

Yolanda was a lifelong devout Catholic who expressed her love of God in countless meaningful ways on a daily basis. She lived with gratitude in her heart and unwavering faith, through every joy and trial, and had an extraordinary gift for seeing and bringing out the best in others. All were welcomed with grace, acceptance, and a love that never judged. Yolanda’s presence brought a sense of peace and belonging to those around her - a radiant kindness and warmth that made you feel all would be well.

A classy New Orleans Lady, full of life, wit, intelligence and fun; Yolanda generously shared the magical spirit of her native city with others. Everyone was always welcome to sashay along - no invitation required. She enjoyed cooking red beans and rice for out of town family and friends, taking them fishing at Lake Pontchartrain and to Café du Monde for beignets, showing off Voodoo Authentica, dancing and singing at Jazz Fest, and wearing that iconic purple tutu on her head each Mardi Gras, while leading the family’s Krewe of Kazoo through the Quarter. She always kept extra kazoos in her pocket so that any passersby could join in the revelry and laissez les bon temps rouler. Yolanda loved her strawberry sno-balls with condensed milk, a glass bottle of Barq’s with a roast beef poboy, #2 hamburgers from Bud’s, and a vanilla stick from the Roman Candy Man. Above all things, Yolanda loved her family.

She and Tim, the love of her life, enjoyed spending special moments together, sitting on their front yard swing and by the pool patio, or walking down the breezeway in Lake Oaks with their adorable pets Blu, Max and Nasa. Christmas was always a meaningful time of year - everyone would gather for the annual Christmas Eve Party, first hosted by her family at the old house on New Orleans Street. Yolanda would shake her jingle bells and lead everyone in joyful caroling until Santa arrived. She loved music, and Tim has fond memories of listening to her singing their favorite folk songs while strumming her cherished Gibson and Fender guitars, and teaching the kids to play the piano. They often reminisced about when they first met at Fort Walton Beach, and marveled at how a simple exchanged glance became love-at-first-sight, leading to the creation of their beautiful family and life together. Yolanda’s two adoring daughters, Shannon and Brandi, brought her immense joy - she lit up every time “her wonderful girls” were near, and made them feel fully, completely, and unconditionally loved every day. Affectionately called “Gommy” by her four precious grandchildren, Ethan, Caroline, Lily Evangeline, and Charlotte, she relished every activity and adventure with them - playing cards, looking through photo albums, feeding the ducks at City Park, trips to Disneyworld, and swimming staycations on the Gulf Coast - she even managed to make hurricane evacuations fun. Gommy was always ready to roll, and delighted in every second spent with family.

Upon her passing, Yolanda was reunited in Heaven with countless beloved family members and friends; her cherished grandmother, Juanita Marguerite Kaiser Ruppel (Michael), the “Four Defabritis Sisters of New Orleans” including her beautiful mother, Yolanda DeFabritis Ruppel, Aunt Leona, Aunt Louise, and Aunt Carrie; the “Four Ruppel Brothers of New Orleans” including her doting father, Robert Emile Ruppel Sr., Uncle AJ, Uncle Mike and Uncle Joe; cousins Helen, Louise, Joann, Robert, Nunzio, Rosie, and Louis; Laura “Tee” Bartley, John Roussel Bull, Sandra Houston, Mama Lola, and so many other loved ones. Yolanda spent many happy summers with Grandmother Ruppel, fishing and crabbing at Bayou Caddy, and sailing in the Mississippi Sound. A devoted daughter, she treasured her wonderful parents throughout their lives, and lovingly cared for them in their last days. They exemplified the ideals of an equal partnership in love, life and business. Her father was the inventor with a genius mind, and her mother had a head for business and the entrepreneurial spirit that runs in the family. Together, they created YO-RO Diesel from the ground up. “Little Yolanda” was always so proud of them, and ready to lend a hand whenever and wherever they needed her.

Yolanda is survived by her husband of 57 years, Kenneth Timothy “Tim” Kelley; her two daughters, Shannon Elizabeth Kelley Connolly (Eugene John Connolly) and Brandi Christiane Ruppel Kelley; her four grandchildren, Ethan Kelley Connolly, Caroline Elizabeth Connolly, Lily Evangeline Bull and Charlotte Eugenie Connolly; her son-in-love, Jesse James Brunet; brother, Robert Emile Ruppel Jr. (Jane); brother-in-law, Jim R. Kelley (Glenda & family); sisters-in-law, Sharon Kelley Davis (family) and Cookie Kelley Boac (family); Godson/Nephew, Robert “Roby” Emile Ruppel III; Cherished Relatives: Patricia Terrenova Weigel, Louise Molay Davis (family), Terre Weigel Carter (family), David Weigel (Renee & family), Christina Jones Haab (Mike & family), Robbie Jones (family), Donna Molay (family), Dolores “Loli” Ruppel Gonzalez (Bobby & family), Trebby Ruppel Fairbanks (family), Tina Ruppel Champion (family), Mike Ruppel Jr. (Sandy), Sue Ruppel Laudeman (family), Darleen Noto (family), Stacey Becker (family), Gerri Meketi, Carolyn Ruppel Serpas (family), Simmons Family, Lacassagne Family, and all of her beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews. Special Friends: Alice Reagan, Diane Miolen, Roussel/Bull Family, The Silver Foxes, Sherwood Forest Family, Diana Duracher Garcia (family), Patricia Duracher (family), Dennis & Rhea Rutherford, Esther Taffaro (family), B.B. St. Roman, Sister Georgette “Maggie” Champagne (family), Ren Mayeaux (family), Sam Simeone, Juneaux Mayfaire, Mary & Dannica Gilmore, Siobhan Bailey (family), Sophia Timmons (family), Tarantino Family, Dave Borland, Jean Francois Innocent, My The Dang, Dr. Ina Fandrich, Quint Davis, Michael Carter, Mary Leggat (family), Mark Saddington (family), Jan Evert “DJ” Dijkhuizen (family), Cate D. Jones, Monica Coutin Baxter, Ava Kay Jones, Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes, Marie Jose Poux, Raven, Luther Gray, Luisah Teish, Carmen Santiago, Florence Jean Joseph, Josh Shank (family), Kamille Barnes, Cathleen Doucet, Lestelle Dawn (family), Abdoulaye Gueye, Papa Zaar, Susheel Bibbs, Andrew Wiseman, Vincenzo Pasquantonio, Amzie Adams, Kai Knight, Michelle Gibson, Storm Deojay Daigle, The VOODOOFEST & Voodoo Authentica of New Orleans Family, Evan McCoy, Brooke Bishop, Xavier House, Dora Hembree (family), Tina & Jim Stroman (family), Arlene & Randy Becker (family), Brian & Dorne Connolly, Tommy & Samantha Martin (family), Mark & Ronda Raymond (family), Virginia Gonzales (family), Martha Panzeca (family), Sandra Green, Lake Oaks Friends, Bill & Sharon Sperance (family), Rick & Wendy Allard (family), Tuminello Family, Negrotto Family, Stephen Crawford (family), Julie McClelland Kennedy (family), Sims Family, Wanda Anderson Robins (family), Schindler Drive family, Nailology family, Sweet Escape family, Shelly Loftis, Lisa Huber, Kelly Jean Ulfers, Barbara Perkins, Mimi Brown, Sue Toca Browne, Ursuline Alumnae, Ron Beique, Ralph Madison, Bobby Payne, Lynda Baker, William Hale, Deaconess Family, Josh Wise, Pass Christian & Gulf Coast neighbors, and all of the dear friends whose presence enriched Yolanda’s world.

Yolanda lived by example and made a lasting impact on all of us who were blessed to be a part of her life. To honor her memory, say hello to the cardinals (and feed them the good stuff), create a “circle of beauty” with colorful flowers and fairy houses, make a little village under your Christmas Tree, and above all, please be kind to one another. Rest easy and well Beautiful Yolanda, your legacy of love will forever carry on.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, November 22, 2025, from 10:30 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70124, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 p.m. Entombment will take place at Lake Lawn Park Mausoleum, immediately following the service.

The family would like to thank the staff at Riemann Family Funeral Home, Long Beach, for their special care in assisting them during this difficult time.