Alicia Yolanda Seck

Alicia Yolanda Seck, a devoted sister, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully in her hometown of San Antonio, TX, on December 23, 2024, at the age of 87. She was born August 1, 1937, to Felipe and Hortencia de la Garza, in San Antonio, TX, where she was raised with her four brothers and two sisters.

Yolanda was blessed to have a large loving family that remained very close to her throughout her entire life. Sibling lunches, holiday get togethers, birthday celebrations, and visits by family were always special occasions she looked forward to. She truly cherished her time with family and friends, and she loved to reflect on the many wonderful memories she created with them throughout the years.

Those who knew her would describe her as smart, funny, strong, independent, loving, dedicated, and maybe a tiny bit stubborn. Her sense of humor, generous nature, and ability to love unconditionally touched the lives of many. She made many meaningful and long-lasting friendships throughout her career in mortgage lending and during her 20 years working at USAA.

Yolanda worked extremely hard for most of her life, often holding down two jobs to provide the best life she possibly could for her family. She was dedicated to her career for many years but was truly at her happiest when she finally got the opportunity to enjoy her well-deserved retirement. She really embraced the retired life and loved to keep busy, taking frequent road trips to visit family, going to estate sales all over town hunting for treasures, taking classes involving anything creative or crafty, and she absolutely loved to garden. She frequented local nurseries looking for unique plants and garden supplies, windchimes, bird houses, fairy gardens, and always brought home beautiful flowers to add to her ever-growing garden. She also really loved to eat fresh homegrown tomatoes and proudly maintained a tomato garden for many years of her retirement.

Yolanda was a true artist at heart, she always recognized the beauty in nature and appreciated the simple things that made life more beautiful. She continuously encouraged creativity in her children and grandkids, a mindset that has stayed with them throughout their lives, helping them to grow in both their personal lives and careers. She spent an endless amount of time, love, and dedication creating very special hand-crafted gifts for her loved ones. She proudly made many treasured quilts, blankets, dolls, stuffed animals, and her absolute favorite, teddy bears. She was extremely talented and her many hand-crafted dolls and bears will always be cherished by her family and friends.

One of her favorite places to be, was the beach. The smell of salt in the air, the sound of the waves, collecting seashells that had washed ashore, she loved it all. She took her children on many family vacations to Port Aransas as they were growing up, a tradition they’ve carried on throughout their adulthood. She really enjoyed her time spent on family beach vacations with her children and grandkids, she loved seeing new places and experiencing the world through the wonder and excitement of her grandkid’s eyes.

She was a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, to name a few. But the role she enjoyed most in life, was being a grandmother. Yolanda absolutely adored her grandkids, showering them with love, gifts, and affection every single chance she got. She was known for her generous heart, always thinking of others. She loved to buy gifts for others, often collecting piles of gifts to share with them by the time she saw them next.

Yolanda's passing leaves a huge void in the hearts of those who knew and loved her, and she will be greatly missed. She was preceded in death by her parents, Felipe and Hortencia de la Garza, her daughter, Tracy Lynn Seck, her ex-husband, Charles Walter Seck, her partner for many years, Jose “Joe” Reyes, and her beloved brother Jose "Joe" de la Garza and his wife, Nina. She is survived by her son, Chip W. Seck and his wife Sandy; her daughter, Leslie A. Seck; her grandchildren, Sarah and Kai Seck; her grand-doggies, as she lovingly referred to them; her siblings, Felipe T. de la Garza, Rose Elida Puype, Maria Christina Witham, Dr. Carlos Arturo de la Garza and his wife, Barbara, and Juan “Johnny” de la Garza; and a community of extended family and life-long friends who will miss her gracious heart, kind spirit, and warm smile.

Yolanda’s life was a testament to the enduring power of love, the unbreakable bond of family, and the value in creating cherished memories with those you love most. She lived a long, wonderful life surrounded by loving family and lots of laughter. We celebrate Yolanda's life and the impact she made on the hearts of all those who loved her. May she rest in eternal peace and watch over us from above, until we are reunited with her once again.

A Memorial Service will take place on Friday, January 24, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Porter Loring Mortuary North, 2102 North Loop 1604 East, San Antonio, Texas 78232 with a reception to follow.