Condolences

The three or four summer at Ship Bottom very exciting.

Using Yolanda's COPPERTONE and turning orange and brown

Yolanda making excuses to Pedro from Peru when he called Ship Bottom for me.I was working late!!!

At midnight?

No I was with Florence at a bar drinking martinis...a contest

Trimming Florence's hair..and Papi discovering telltale hair on the carpet....confirmed by George. Both Florence and I confined to the basement a week.

But the confinement didn't make it impossible for tennisplaye Mario to come down to kiss goodbyeand there was always peach pie

and we wondered in gangs before gangs were in vogue to peep into Popper's Bar. I think I once saw

THE PLATTERS.

Florence and I loved to borrow Alex'a madras shirts

and I loved two Italian brothers tambien

Yolanda took me on..and I will always be thankful

I am so very sorry and send my condolences to you and the rest of the family. She was a fun, very kind, and remarkable lady. I spoke with her from time to time by phone and less over the past few months because she was usually resting when I called and spoke with George.

I'm not sure if you remember me, but I was a good friend of Wilson and Juan Padilla. My partner and I had lunch with you and Yolanda in New York City quite a few years ago at La Grenouille.

I stay in touch with Manuel Barragan often and have informed him of the sad news about your mother. He was also very fond of her. Manuel is retired Chairman Emeritus of his family's bottling business now and while he still lives in Monterrey, he has condos in the Bahamas, Vancouver, and at the Dallas Ritz Carlton Tower where I see him a few times a year.

Again, Alex, I am so very sorry for your loss and send my regards to you and your family

Bill Ansley

Señor Alex!

Nuestros más sentido pésame para usted y toda su familia! No existen palabras para describir lo mucho que lamento su pérdida. Estarán en mis oraciones y buenos deseos durante este momento difíciles. Estaré a su disposición cuando me necesites. Que su alma descanse en paz. Un fuerte abraso. Lo siento mucho.

Heydi Nunez

Oma, dear Oma:

She brought to her unmarried son Alex flower bouquets and Care Packages,until the apartment was warmed by Iggy and the boys.

And the house still flowed with flowers.

A nona is always the best gift.

Yolanda (Stylish Beauty)--- represents Family, Costa Rica, America, Loyalty

and Love. She called my husband (Field's Dad) 'Doc'...Yolanda knew the difference between the work of a 'stevedore' and a 'longshoreman'.This always impressed and touched me. She understood power.

Iggy, Alex, all the family and also the friends will miss such a strong,

sweet, and certain presence in their lives. I shall always hold her dear.

Judith Maloney

Saludos, lamento mucho la partida de Yolanda, dadas las condiciones de salud debemos pensar que no se trata de “cantidad de vida sino de calidad de vida”, además “solo morimos cuando se nos olvida” ,favor de tenerme informado si en algo puedo ayudar, enviarme el obituario. Bendiciones a todos en estos momentos difíciles.

Rodolfo Flores Mora

So sorry to hear this sad news. If I recall correctly, I met your mother once when she came to the office. Or am I dreaming it? My memory is that she was beautiful, charming and very sharp.

Please know that we are holding you and your entire family in our thoughts and in our hearts.

Warmly,

Roberta

Dear Alex, Thank you so much for letting us know of your mother’s passing. Of course I never met her, but I have heard many stories and have felt her (and your) great generosity when we stayed in her apartment coming and going from San Jose several years ago. Knowing you and Iggy and the boys I do feel that I get some idea of what a wonderful woman she was. The pictures are really evocative of a person and a time. I love seeing them. It is always hard to lose a parent. In this time it is especially hard as it really matters so much to gather and be with family and friends and it is terribly difficult right now to have that.

We think of you often and have been bad about staying in touch. We love you all and look forward to the time when we can all be together again. Huge love to you and Iggy and the boys.

Mucho Abrazos, Abbot

Dearest Alex

Thank you for letting us know about your Mother’s passing. I am so sorry that you have lost her, even though it may have been her time. Such a huge loss, her presence must have been large, warm and profound which must make it even harder. Even after all the years I sometimes suddenly think . . I must call Mom about that . . . always over our shoulders.

I think about her generosity and our wonderful stay at her apartment, looking at all the pictures, trying to grasp pieces of a mysteriously complex and interesting life. I wish we could have met.

The loss must also be large for your boys!! My heart goes out to all of you. Such a hard time to lose someone.

And thank you for sending the photos. They are wonderful!

You are in our hearts! We miss you. Much love to Iggy and the boys.

Hopefully we shall see you some time soon.

I love you

Sarah

Hi Alex and Sons,

I am really sorry to hear about Yolanda passing away, she seemed like an incredible woman and must have been to have raised you all into the welcoming, loving and warm people that you are. I look forward to hearing stories about her next time we are all together.

I will keep you all in my thoughts and hope that things can go as smoothly as possible with her funeral in these complicated times.

Love,

Xaver

Dear Alex and family,

Thank you so much for thinking to include Blondie and I in this lovely email. We are touched to read the story and view the lovely photos of your Oma and family members.

She led a full life that was loving and loved. It's a difficult transition for us kids to lose our parents. So here we are. Wonderful memories and an angel up above to gaze down and watch over.

We send love in abundance.

Linda and Blondie

These are beautiful. Thank you for sharing. I am sad for you to lose your mom. I know she is a big deal in your family. I remember meeting her a few times at your apt

then visiting her at her house in Morristown. We swam in a pond/lake nearby To her home. It’s hard for the boys and you and Ig. We all send our love to wrap you up in a good feeling.

Daniel

Dear Alex,

We loved Yolanda so much!

I remember her smiley face each time we were together at a GK concert or at her home in Philadelphia, she always had a nice thing to say to everyone ,

I guess I was young at the time, I would loved asking her about the beginning of her life in Costa Rica working there and finally moving to the USA.

My thoughts are with you and the rest of family to remember this great Lady.

Best, Pascal

Alex,

Sorry to learn of your mother's passing. Thank you for sending along the historic photos. Thinking about this brought back memories of the visit to Costa Rica for your wedding and the good times we had there (but for your surfboard loss).

Recent events around here brought to mind (and I had just mentioned this to Jackie) that we were on the plane on the way home from the wedding trip when we learned about the rioting in connection with the Rodney King verdict, having been out of touch with such matters while in Costa Rica. Funny how memory works in connection with such matters....

-- Matt Wilkes

Buenas tardes:

Soy la hija de Estela Fuentes, amiga de la familia. Nos hemos visto brevemente cuando usted ha venido a Costa Rica.

Me encontré con Rodolfo Flores y me comentó de la muerte de su mamá, Yolanda, a quien tanto mi mamá como yo queríamos mucho.

De verdad siento mucho su pérdida.

Mi mamá murió el 6 de abril, iniciando la Semana Santa y las medidas sanitarias por el virus. Luego, a los dos meses, murió mi hermana mayor, la que vivía en Guatemala.

Ha sido muy difícil este tiempo, por las pérdidas tan seguidas, pero no queda otro remedio que aceptarlas.

Tengo algunas de fotos de su familia, las voy a conservar para dárselas cuando pueda venir a Costa Rica.

Un abrazo a usted, su familia y a su hermano George.

Saludos,

Aurora Hernández

Buenos días Alex ya los tengo instalados en mi casa. Mi esposa y yo anoche pasamos recordando a doña Yolanda. Muy agradecidos por tomarnos en cuenta.

Doña Yolanda siempre fue muy especial.

Saludos y muchas gracias por todo.

Edgar Fallas

Alex, Alec, Jasper, Bas,

Sending you all my love. Sorry for your loss. I know you were close and will hold her in your hearts.

Love,

Michael

Oh Alex, my heart goes out to you, so sorry to hear your sad news but grateful Yolanda's departure was peaceful.

I know she has struggled these past years and I’m sure quarantine was an extra layer of concern for you all.

I love these wonderful photos, thank you for sharing them and reminding me of how your parents met.

We send you and the boys and Iggy much love and a big embrace, many besos too and I look forward to more photos and stories of her life.

Let’s talk soon,

Xoxox

Carrie

Dear Alex –

Melinda will no doubt write to you if not call you to talk but I wanted to send you our condolences and let you know that we are grateful to you for sharing this huge news of the loss of your mother with us. I appreciate those pictures you’ve sent as they add more of a picture of a formidable person and her life.

Thinking of you,

Our love and support in any way you may need,

Andrew, Melinda

Oh Alex, these photos are wonderful, I"d love to see more, they fill out some of the history and the stories of her life. In the picture of your grandparents on the boardwalk we see such a strong resemblance to Yolanda. Photos can be so powerful.

Let's think about a time to gather when the kids could join...

Sending love,

Jill

Let's think about a time to gather when the kids could join...

Sending love,

Jill

Dear Alex,

I think of all of you, often.

I have just found an email forwarded from Adina almost exactly 1 year ago with your announcement that dear sweet Yolanda had passed away. Sincere apologies you haven't heard from me sooner to acknowledge the many kindnesses she extended towards Jake and me.

I will always be grateful for her warmth as Oma and welcome for the tiny family of mine which included Ian, the dog for holiday gatherings (!). The image of Yolanda in a black mantilla at each of my parents' funerals is unforgettable and from that point forward, a comfort to 'share' in Philadelphia history with her. There are fond memories of Costa Rica with all of us together (-Ian) at Easter, I believe it was 2005.

I felt a kinship with her and appreciated the grace she brought to the joys and sorrows of Motherhood. How lucky your boys are to have had a lively and attentive grandmother, I know they meant the world to her. It is my hope George is coping, without her.

Please let me know your news- it would be lovely to see you and Iggy especially as I know how supportive you have both been to my dear sweet niece, Emily, thank you.

All the best,

Louise

Dear Alex,

Thank you for sharing this beautiful portrait in a kaleidoscope. Where your mother's graceful words are quoted, her sly precision speaks volumes. There are so many notable details, as when she follows suit in removing her shoes with the duchess, or procures a Costa Rican parrot swing! (We were also struck by the name—and your presence at—the "Ball of the Flamboyans.") From a great distance, and without ever having met her, your dear Mami emanates in these snapshots a deep-rooted warmth and elegance, a formidable presence and an unassuming glamor. We are so sorry for your loss; may peace be with you and Iggy and the boys.

Abe and Melissa

Alex, I remember meeting your mom when we had the pleasure of accompanying you and Iggy on your Costa Rican honeymoon—one of my favorite trips ever. My mind’s eye sees her smiling at the doorway and graciously welcoming all of us into her home, for lunch. I’m sorry to hear that she is no longer living.

Thank you for sending the photos—portals to another time.

I send you one of my favorite poems, and a heartfelt hug.

Love,

Jackie