Miles, this tribute site is so awesome. Thank You. On behalf of the Rondo Community’s extended Walker Hill Parks Family: Heartfelt condolences on the passing of your Mother; with extended condolences to all family members.
My sister, Mary Ann got to talk with Yolande earlier this year and I feel blessed by proxy. Rondo memory: Our families lived on Iglehart St., across from each other. Yolande and I used to play together with our ‘troll’ dolls in the mid1960s. We made them clothes and spruced up shoeboxes and cardboard boxes to build troll ‘mansions’ – with paper steps and scribbled curtains and picture frames on the walls. I remember playing and sitting in the staircase over at her house/duplex, making up troll stories. Will forever cherish our laughter and innocence playing make believe; and outside antics playing 2 and 4 square, Red Rover, jacks, hop-scotch, and getting candy from Mr. Toussaint when he drove down the street.
After 30+ yrs living in Alaska, I returned abt 11 years ago and saw Yolande perform/emcee at Selby Jazz Fest, Penumbra, and I think, TwinCities JazzFest. She graciously sang at my parents going home celebrations at St. James AME (2010 & 2012). Saw her perform at Crooners twice in 2019, one of which was on my wedding anniversary. Got a chance to hug, reminisce, and say, “Hey Yo, love you.”
Thank You for gifting us this space to continue basking in Yolande’s light. May you go well, always.