Yolanda Calderon, 84, passed away on July 10, 2012 at Vindabona Rehab and Nursing home in Braddock Heights, MD surrounded by her loved ones. She was born on December 9, 1927 in Bellview Hospital in New York, New York, the daughter of Luz Maria and Joquin Rosado.
Yolanda married Frank Berrios in 1947 and settled in the Bronx. They soon has two sons, Frank Berrios Jr. and Micheal Berrios.
Yolanda found her soul mate in Frank Calderon and married him in city hall on August 19, 1955. They celebrated thier a life together in Bronx, NY and had two beautiful daughters Katherine and Kismet Calderon.
Yolanda was a dedicated wife, mother and grandmother. She enjoyed social gatherings, dancing, and salsa music. She was told by her children that she missed her calling in the legal field with her very inquisitive mind. She was a strong advocate for her children, and was very protective of them. She honored herself in being self sacrificing for her family and loved her husband with the deepest part of her soul. She always believed in putting her family first. She will always be remembered for being a strong minded person who wasn't afraid of speaking her mind. To her family she was full of life, creative and a social diva. To her children she was a nurturer that planted the seeds of the strong Puerto Rican Family that you see today.
Yolanda is survived by her brother Joquin Rosado, her sister Mary Vertucci, her son Frank Berrios Jr and his wife Norma Berrios; her daughters Katherine Calderon and Kismet May; her son-in-laws Gilberto Ramos Jr., George May and Luis Rosa; her grandchildren Destiny Braddick, Monique Canale, Lorenzo May, Keona May, Stephanie Berrios, John Berrios, Michael Berrios, Sal Berrios; her great-grandchildren Sophia and Bella Braddick, Carter and Vanessa Canale, Jordan, Josel, Jovan and Jeremiah Little, AaZhane and Zurai Berrios and Nezarha Thompson and many neices and nephews.
Although this is a time of great sadness for her surviving family, Yolanda was welcomed in heaven with open arms by her loving husband Frank Calderon and her son Michael Berrios. She was also welcomed by her mother Luz Maria, her father Joaquin, brother Orlando, sister Lydia, Nephew Ernest, great-grandchildren Justin and Jason Little and Gigi Canale.
A service of rememberance will be held at 3:00 pm in Middletown, MD on Saturday July 14.
Remembering you today, a lady full of life, grace and style and who impressed upon me the passion to love, laugh, and stand up for what I believe and especially for those whom I love.
Love Kissy
I'm not sure how hard this will be to write. There are so many memories I have of you. You lived such a RICH life. Full of Love and happiness. You had so many chapters to your life. Life before the first Frank. Life with the second Frank. Life Before mom, life before Kiz. And then we came. Nicky and Dee Dee. I know we'll remember you so different from the "Atita" Keona and Lorenzo will remember you as. Keona described you lovingly as her playmate. How wonderful was that. I think that's how my kids will remember mom. To us you and Grandpa were the BEST REAL Grandparents a child could ever know. Our summers with you guys, I don't remember how long the visits were or how often we went, but they were amazing.
We were in NEW YORK CITY! :) Grandpa would go to work SO SO early in the morning. You would wake up and shuffle with your slippers across the wood floor, the only break in sound would be when you got to the door "breaks" where you had to lift your feet up. You'd make us delecious cream of rice and toast with real squares of butter on them.
We'd get ready for the day. Take the cart, go to the store, was it Mulberry's(?), (you'd buy us Garbage Pail Kid Cards) and we'd always stop by the water fountain with the huge fishes and you'd give us pennies to throw in. I remember once a stranger (he could have been a homeless man) asked me about the money in the fountain and I responded and MAN was I in trouble! Lol. Now I know you were just protecting me. You were probably terrified. Ha ha. Sometimes we would just go to the park. Sometimes we would sit right by your side or on your lap while you watched telenovelas. We had NO IDEA what they were saying, but they were so Drama Fabulous!
You were so caring. You fixed Tina's Pjs COUNTLESS amounts of times. Finally you just sewed the "butt part" shut with lace. I'm sure you were glad when I finally stopped asking for you to sew it. And when we were sick you would put Aqua Florida on a bandana and tie it to our heads. I think that scent gave me MORE of a headache. But it soon became comforting. I remember when we moved into a new house, you would come and say something in spanish and do a dance to get "rid" of the bad spirits.
When Grandpa would get home, sometimes he'd bring us pizza with that white and red string wrapped around the pizza. LOOOVED seeing that! And of course the mini freezer was always STOCKED full of the ice cream sandwiches and the sundaes with the yellow and red toppings on them from Carvel (which was RIGHT downstairs).
I remember every night the TV would say it's 8:00 do you know where your child is? And I would think I'm here with you. What I'd give to be back then enjoying those times with you.
Even while I grew up you were always there. Coming to school events, cooking me the same delecious breakfast when I was in high school. Being a comfort when mom and dad got divorced. Of course somewhere along the lines at those celebrations, you coined the phrase "This cake has 12 eggs". Dee and I still joke about that, really Grandma TWELEVE EGGS?
When you lived with Kissy, I would call to talk. And I would say Hello DAHling and you would say Hi DAHling and giggle. Not sure if it was our "thing", but it was special to me. You ARE special to me. I can only HOPE that I leave the trace of Love and Respect that you have.
Somewhere along the lines you stopped caring about what other people thought and started speaking your mind. The things that came out of your mouth were hilarious! Mostly you would tell me I was pale and I would say "Gee Thanks Grandma". But 3 weeks ago, you told me I was Skinny. That was the best one yet. ;)
I'm so sorry I wasn't around as much as I should have been during these past years. There's no excuse and I will forever feel like I should have done more. I am glad that you were able to spend time with the kids in June. And I'm glad they brought you smiles and maybe even a laugh or two in your last weeks.
The ONLY thing I can think of to do now is to Run. You were unable to move for the last few weeks of your life, so I will Run with you in my heart. I will enjoy the beautiful landscapes and look into the sky for you, hoping you are watching over me. I will Run in your honor, in your memory. I love you Grandma.
Atita loves this song. She always used to sing it and do little dance. That woman can really move. :)
