Yolanda Valencia Courvier, beloved mother, sister, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on November 30, 2022 at the age of 88.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Luciana and Hilario P. Castillo. She is survived by her sister, Angelita C. Ovalle, and brother, Edward Castillo (Eloise); Children Mary Lucille Travieso (Ernest), Joseph Michael, and Imelda Courvier; and Grandchildren Olivia, Felicia, and Cecilia Travieso.

Born in San Antonio, TX, on February 24, 1934, Yolanda graduated from Fox Tech High School in 1952. With an interest in public housing and a desire to help the elderly and families, she began working for the San Antonio Housing Authority at 18 years old, as an Assistant Bookkeeper at Alazan-Apache Courts. An avid reader who loved to learn, she sought out training courses and additional educational opportunities that would allow her to personally and professionally grow throughout her career. She held several positions, including Bookkeeper, Statistical Analyst, Assistant Manager, and Housing Manager at numerous SAHA housing communities throughout the city. She was proud to be the first Hispanic female Housing Manager of Victoria Courts, and took equal pride in the staff she mentored who went on to key managerial positions within SAHA. Yolanda was known for her genuine caring approach and understanding of the needs of her residents. She often commented on how much she learned and gained from spending time with them, and many became like extended family to her. During her SAHA tenure, she also served as the Employee Association President and the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) Alamo Chapter President.

After a 30-year career with the Housing Authority, she retired in 1995. Soon after, she joined the Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG) Bexar Area Agency on Aging as a certified volunteer ombudsman advocating for the quality care of residents in nursing facilities. During this time, she primarily served at McCullough Hall at Our Lady of the Lake University, where decades later she would also reside and spend her final days.

Retirement also provided Yolanda the time to pursue her dreams of traveling; she traveled to Mexico, Central America, Europe, Asia, and nearly every state in the U.S. She had many life-long friends with whom she enjoyed spending time, especially her Fox Tech and Harris Middle School classmates. She had a passion for the Arts, and one of her favorite pastimes was watching musicals on film or performed live in a theater.

Above all, Yolanda considered having her 3 children to be the best thing she ever did. She continuously expressed gratitude for her life, and gave thanks to the Lord for her many blessings.

FUNERAL SERVICES

Services for Yolanda will be held on

Tuesday, December 13, 2022

at St. Philip of Jesus Catholic Church.

A viewing will begin at 9:15 a.m., followed by a rosary at 10:30 a.m.

and Mass of the Resurrection at 11:00 a.m.

Funeral procession thereafter to San Jose Burial Park for interment.

MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Yolanda's name to

St. Philip of Jesus Catholic Church

142 E Lambert St.

San Antonio, TX 78204