Yolanda "Yolie" Mancha

MARIA YOLANDA "YOLIE" MANCHA

San Juan - Maria Yolanda “Yolie” Mancha passed away on February 29, 2024, surrounded by her loving family, following a long illness. She was 79 years young, living with her family in San Juan, Texas.

Yolie was born on February 6, 1945 to Leonor and Miguel Suarez in Pharr, Texas. There, she lived a full, loving, family-filled upbringing as the oldest daughter of five. A member of the Bearette drill team, she graduated from PSJA High School in 1963.

In November of 1966, she married the love of her life – her Chando. In the years that followed, their family grew as they welcomed Jaime (1969) and Michelle (1972), and showered them with love. That love never faltered, and as time passed, she shared that with her grandbabies too.

Yolie started working in the office supply business at McKnight’s in Pharr. She managed Century Discount Office Supply for a time but then moved to PSJA ISD, where she would retire as an administrative assistant at Central Office.

Yolanda was active in her community, but her passion was her involvement in her parish, St. Anne’s in Pharr. She was involved at various levels, including holding office on the ACTS Core, singing in the music ministry and serving as a lector.

Our mom loved to sing and dance. She was an avid gardener and was especially proud of her roses, which at one time lined the front yard of our home in San Juan. The backyard was her refuge, and you could often find her sitting on a swing, enjoying some peace and quiet, save for the sound of the leaves rustling in the South Texas breeze or her humming a tune.

She also had a passion for travel. She wanted to see it all, and made it a point to try to see as much of the country as possible, traveling to both coasts to experience as much as she could – museums, national parks – she could not get enough.

Above all, she adored her family. Spending time with family, especially her kids and grandchildren was something she always made time for. She never missed a recital, football game or school play. She provided wavering support for anything we did – she was our best cheerleader.

She is survived by her husband Servando, her son Jaime Javier (Lisa) Mancha of Edinburg, daughter Amparo Michelle of San Juan, grandsons Javier Joel Martinez Jr. and Ryan Miguel Mancha, great-grandchildren Riley Lopez and Jayden Michael Martinez, as well as her brother Gilberto Suarez (Linda) of Alton, sisters Gloria (Ken) Kohler of San Antonio and Laura (Hector) Hernandez of Weslaco, and brother Joel (Sandra) Suarez of San Juan, and over 20 nieces and nephews.

Yolanda is preceded in death by her parents, Miguel Prieto Suarez and Leonor Salinas Maurice, and a sister, Amparo Suarez.

The Mancha family would like to extend special thanks to nurses Liz, Jazmin, Jessica, JoAnne, Melissa and the staff of Harbor Hospice, who provided our mother with first-rate care for the four years that she battled her illness. We are grateful for their kindness and warm bedside manner.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. with a 6 p.m. rosary Monday, March 4, 2024, at Memorial Funeral Home, 311 E. Expy. 83 in San Juan. Funeral service will take place at noon Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at St Anne Mother of Mary Catholic Church in Pharr. Interment will follow at Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery in Mission.
Pallbearers will be Javier Joel Martinez Jr., Ryan Miguel Mancha, Michael Mancha, David Mancha, Timothy Cantu, and John Garcia.
Funeral services are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan.

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