Zia Yolanda - many of us remember you and Zio Leo
Rest in peace Love Vivian Tonino Gori

Carissima Yolanda,

Un bacio

Cara Zia Yolanda - we are all well & send you rest in peace wishes.
Love your niece Viviana Tonino Gori

Zia Yolanda - my how the years pass fast. I was looking forward to this tribute this year. All is well. We are still here. Rest in peace. Love, Vivian(a) your neice

Zia Yolanda - another year has gone by - still with Covid virus.
I've had ALL vaccinations but there are many contagions. You are
lucky not to have lived under this threat.
Rest in peace - your niece Vivian(a)

Cara Zia Yolanda - what a mess this world is in! Virus pandemic, war in Europe, gas prices very high - difficult times.
At least you are in eternal peace.
Love, Vivian(a) Tonino Gori

Once again, Cara Zia Yolanda another year has passed.
Rest in peace.
Love, Vivian(a) Tonino Gori

Zia Yolanda - I was looking forward to FOREVER MISSED tribute today.
It has been a terrible year on this earth. I hope you are enjoying eternal rest
w/Zio Leo & that we still here on this earth will pull through the virus epidemic.
Love, Vivian(a) your niece.

Carissima Yolanda,
My father and your cousin Luciano passed away early January this year.
He joined you in the Elysian fields and shares with you this blessed place where the souls of those who had proved themselves worthy of this reward
rest in peace.
Love Always,
Carlo, Dominique, Maxime & Alessandro GIGLIO TOS

Dear Zia Yolanda - wow 100 yrs - rest in peace. You had led a beautiful life
w/Zio Leo & I shall remember you always.
Love, Vivian(a) your niece

Cara Zia Yolanda - yes, as every year I look forward to this lovely memory of you. You are in my thoughts & my prayers & I pray for your eternal rest.
Love, Vivian(a) your niece

Dear Zia Yolanda - it's very nice this computer site sends a yearly msg. Yes, it wld have been your 99th birthday. God rest your soul & enjoy eternal peace.
Love, your niece Vivian(a) Tonino Gori

Dear Zia Yolanda - my time does fly! 4 yrs already. This weekend is Carnevale in Ivrea & I remember how I used to send you the SENTINELLA CANAVESANA
w/pictures of the Mugnaia which you always enjoyed.
My prayers are w/you & Zio Leo - may you both rest in peace. Love, your niece
Vivian(a) Tonino Gori

Zia Yolanda - remembering your birthday & sending prayers for your
eternal rest from Vivian (Viviana) Tonino Gori

Dear Iolanda, could three years have possibly passed? You are still with me. I see your picture and you are in my thoughts. I drive by St. Anne’s and you are in my thoughts. I visit Lynda and you are in my thoughts. I see Alessandros smile and remember your fondness for him. You still bring warmth to our lives and keep our spirits dancing. Chiara

Zia Yolanda - another year - not being able to phone you even from Italy
still saddens me. Rest in peace.
Love, Vivian (Viviana) Tonino Gori

Cara Zia Yolanda - I've been away & missed writing on your birthday.
It doesn't mean I've forgotten you! You & Zio Leo are in my prayers.
Rest in peace.
Love, Vivian (Viviana) Tonino Gori

Yolanda,
 We miss your loving smile and caring touch so much. I wish you were still with us to share. We often think about you often.
God bless you & Leo.

Cara Zia Yolanda - 2 yrs ago you left us, but your beautiful face will
always remain in my memory, as well as handsome Zio Leo.
May you both rest in peace in God's glory.
Love, your niece, Vivian (Viviana) Tonino Gori

Cara Zia Yolanda - remembering you today & always w/a prayer
for eternal rest.
Love, Vivian (Viviana) Tonino Gori - your niece

Cara Zia Yolanda - I am thinking of you and praying for you.
Today my grand-daughter Giulia gave birth to a girl CELESTE so we shall always remember the date 3/3. Rest in peace, Cara Zia.
Love, Vivian (Viviana) Tonino Gori

Cara Zia Yolanda - today would have been your birthday and I am thinking of you as I did for many years.
Rest in peace in the joy in the Good Lord.
From your niece Vivian (Viviana) Tonino Gori

We will always remember Yolanda for her grace and elegance, her warmth, and her beauty. We remember many good times in Petaluma with Yolanda and Leonardo.
—from Daniel and Susan

Such a beautiful and sweet woman. She was like my aunt who lived next door. She would cook me dinner, mend my clothes and she was always interested in what my family was up to. I will miss her so much.

Carissima Iolanda,
ti ricordiamo con tanto, tanto affetto.
Tuo cugino primo Lino Cane, Carla, Luca e Alberto.

Dear Zia Iolanda,
I will never forget the happy moments of your visit in " Borghetto" !!
Few moments in which I could appreciate your great personality that will remain forever in my heart....
Andrea, susanna, ugo brannetti

I will always remember your warm and hospitallity when Lucille and I visited San Francisco. Rest in peace. Love always Dolores

Cara Zia,
sapevo che presto o tardi questo momento sarebbe purtroppo arrivato, ma nonostante il dolore grande che provo in questo momento, riesco comunque ad essere felice per due motivi.
Il primo è di averti potuto salutare lo scorso novembre, passando con te un paio di giorni a ricordare tutto il meraviglioso tempo passato insieme, sia quand'ero bambino in Italia sia più adulto a San Francisco.
Il secondo è di sapere che le donne buone e speciali come te non muoiono mai, perché rivivono giorno dopo giorno nei ricordi di chi ha avuto la fortuna di passare del tempo con te.
Ogni volta che mangerò un piatto di pasta mi ricorderò di te che contavi i fusilli nel tuo piatto per paura di non riuscire a finirli; ogni volta che vedrò una signora elegante con un'acconciatura elaborata, penserò che tu eri senz'altro più bella e ogni volta che verrò a San Francisco passerò da Gough St. e ripenserò a quanti momenti felici abbiamo passato insieme.
Mi mancherai molto e, nonostante fossi in qualche modo preparato, ammesso che si possa mai esserlo, sono sicuro che lo farai per sempre.
Dai un bacio a Zio Leo da parte mia e di Barbara...
Ti vogliamo bene.
Lorenzo e Barbara

Last week, Yolanda, some of us sat at your bedside telling the story of how you met Leonardo. As a young soldier, he (and his regiment) stopped in your village to rest. With your boundless generosity, you served him food through the opening of a tent and he fell in love with your hands, those lovely hands he later recognized at a dance. I will also remember your hands, Yolanda. To me they represent not only your gift as an artist, sewing exquisite dresses for the elegant ladies of San Francisco. But they embody the act of giving - the kindness and warmth you shared with us all. Your gentle spirit kept you beautiful even more than your lipstick, Yolanda. When we spoke of the past, there was a hint of nostalgia for the times filled with music, parties, and the people you loved. So now when I miss you, I think of you reunited with your mother, father, brothers, and your strikingly handsome husband. In the last days, I asked if you remembered dancing (Italian music playing softly in the background), and with eyes closed you struggled to answer, "ho ballato tanto." So I don't think of you anymore in your wheelchair. Now I rejoice in the thought of you dancing light on your feet, holding hands with Leonardo once more.

Cara zia, i miei ricordi si perdono nella notte dei tempi. La dolce compagna di zio Leo, accettando tutto il suo modo di essere anticonformista. Il tuo sorriso ineguagliabile. La tua dolcezza nei movimenti e nei comportamenti. La tua bellezza hollywoodiana. La tua cucina, fatta di semplici ingredienti, ma gustosa. Mi sembra ieri che ti avevo accompagnato a Genova per imbarcarti sulla Leonardo da Vinci e lasciare tutti i tuoi cari per accettare la decisione dello zio Leo di andare a vivere una nuova vita con zia Carla a San Francisco. L'amore della mia famiglia per i Tonino di Chivasso e Ivrea (quante domeniche passate insieme). Per te sono stato il figlio che non hai avuto. Ti ricorderó sempre con la visione di un angelo, dato che questa é stata la tua vita sulla Terra. Un bacio, Giorgio

Such a dear and sweet lady..... a truly "gentle-woman".
                          
                              Sympathy and love,
                                  
                                    Bobbi Laird

Dear Walter, Lynda and Carla,

What a beautiful website you have created! I loved the photos. I will always remember Yolanda's extraordinary grace and gentleness...beyond compare.

Sincerely,
Grazia Caroselli

What a beautiful light you have been for the DePetris family and those around you! Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your beloved family, the Dahlems

Your pure love and kindness for your family is a lasting tribute, and one that we are grateful to have known and learned. Without fail, your face lit up when talking about your grand niece and nephew and they will carry your devotion with them throughout their lives, bestowing it one day to their own families. It has been a pleasure knowing you and we will always remember your grace, and your sweet smile. Rest easy Yolanda, you will be missed. The Weber Family

Il ricordo di Iolanda sarà sempre nei nostri cuori come uno dei più cari per i bei momenti passati insieme, per la sua dolcezza, la sua disponibilità e per quel modo gentile e signorile di porgersi. Una consolazione ci conforta ed è la gioia e la fortuna di averla conosciuta
franco ed antonietta

Ciao Iolanda, beautiful MADAMA! We di love you and love you now that are in a wonderful place with your beloved Leo.
So gratefull to have had the opportunity to share so many wonderful moments during your visit to Italy and our stay in San Francisco.
Roberto will put on his Alpini Hat to say Arrivederci to you.
With love. Lucetta e Roberto

Dear Zia Yolanda - rest in peace from your niece in Florence, Italy
(me Viviana) and your nephews in NY (Frankie and Randy) and
Franco in Cascinette. Ciao, Cara Zia - Viviana

I met you when I was 12 years old and since then you have been
a sister and friend . For all your life you always had praise, love and a dear companion for me. Love you and I miss you.Carla

A Tribute and Thank You to Yolanda:

I first met you on a hot summer day in Sonoma. As I walked through the house to the backyard, I first saw Duke lounging in the pool escaping the summer heat. Then I saw Leo stretched out on the lounge chair looking glamorous with his deep tan, holding a sun reflector aiming the sun’s rays towards his face. Then in the shade I saw you, in a dark dress, on a hot day just relaxing, calling no attention to yourself. I just immediately felt comfortable with you and knew you were someone I would never forget.

I have met many people in my life and known many more intimately, and for a longer period of time, yet you left an indelible impression on me. You are one of those people who brought love, comfort and happiness to anyone who met you. Like the feeling of the warm sun on your skin, not too hot just the perfect cozy temperature on a cool day. A warmth that does not demand your immediate reaction, but instead it embraces you in a soft quiet way. I think that was your gift.

You brought to the world a very rare and unique kindness, and I smile now just thinking of you. I am thankful for the gift of having met you. I hope to pass on some of the kindness to others that you showed to me.

Say hello to Leo for me when you see him. I am sure he will be “dressed to the 9’s” and handsome as ever as he greets you in your new home together.

As trite as it may sound, you really are someone who will be missed but never forgotten.

Suzanne

We remember you as welcoming us as your own family. We know that you are enjoying being with our Lord on this day, and we thank Him for allowing us to know you. Our prayers are with your family, now and always. 
Derek, Kim, Grant, Taylor, Corinne and Hayden

We are deeply saddened and never forget the image of your gentle and bright face. We use to enjoy long telephone conversations since we met you and Leo for the first time over sea, in S. Francisco in 1981. Your mastery of Italian language - and piemontese - was just amazing !
We will miss you.
Thank you Walt for keeping us informed during the last years.
We will soon post our souvenirs on this memorial website.

First cousin Luciano, Alessandro, Maxime, Carlo & Dominique GIGLIO TOS

I just heard about your departure and I'm so sorry . You were so kind and good and you welcomed me as a nephew . You will always remain in my heart along with the memory of Leonardo