Yolanda Matias

 Yolanda Matias was a longtime and much-loved community member - first in New York City – and then on Newbury Street & Preston Street in the Main South neighborhood of Worcester, MA.  She even graced Puerto Rico and Florida with her presence. But Worcester became her home.  It’s where she & Jose raised their family, bought a house, and became valued and beloved members of this city and within All Saints Church.

 Yolanda died on April 14, 2023, after a prolonged illness. She lived sixty-six “live-life-to-the-fullest” years on this earth and her spirit will live on in everyone who knew her.  Yolanda was an incredibly kind and loving human being who truly made a difference in the lives of those she met. Yolanda was deeply loved and she will be deeply missed. 

 Yolanda was born on March 5, 1957, in the Bronx to Lydia Ramos & Lugo Datis. You could tell from a glance that she was raised in New York; “Her don't mess with me” attitude, her poise, and her willingness to stand tall in the face of any adversity. When asked how she did it, she always said that she got it from her mom and from the streets of New York City. 

 Yolanda was someone who was incredibly driven to better herself, her family, and her community. She always had a plan - and was super quick to let you know what your part was going to be! Yolanda helped people be their highest selves by making sure everybody was straight and aligned … but she did so in a loving way.   She never quit and she never let us quit either. 

 Yolanda is survived by her loving husband, Jose Santiago as well as her daughters Catherine Caraballo, Lydia Santiago, Alma Santiago, and Haydee Appiah and their families. Yolanda was predeceased in death by her father, Lugo Datis, her mother Lydia Ramos, her aunt Sol Maria Datis, and her sister Ana Matias.

 A memorial service is scheduled for Tuesday, April 18th from 5 to 7 pm at the Graham Putnam & Mahoney Funeral Parlors, 838 Main Street, Worcester, MA.  Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 19 at 10 am at the All Saints Church, 10 Irving Street, Worcester, MA.

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