Maria Teresa Yolanda Arredondo (nee De la Mora) went to her heavenly life peacefully in her sleep on 11/29/2025 at the age of 86. Born in Mexico City, Mexico on 10/13/1939 and cared for by various family members in her early years, she told countless stories of being a towheaded güerita running through the streets of Mexico City, spending time at her grandfather’s corner store, or living on an uncle’s ranch in Naranjos. She came to Chicago in the 1950s as a teenager to help her mother care for her younger siblings with plans to return to Mexico City and ended up settling in the US and becoming a US citizen. Yolanda, as she preferred to be called, spent decades dedicated to raising siblings, educating herself, and working with her beloved Catholic Church community. She lived throughout the Midwest and Southwest before settling in Tucson, AZ in the 1980s and refusing to ever consider leaving. She worked in many different professions including dietician in hospitals (after earning her dietary science certification), preschool teacher, housecleaner, caregiver for the elderly, and being the long time housekeeper and cook for the Our Mother of Sorrows clergy. She would often do many of these jobs all at once and very much passed on her hardworking and dedicated nature to her child and siblings. Her work ethic was the stuff of legends. She even once attended her own retirement party at the age of 65 and then stubbornly continued to work an additional 15 years. 

She met and married Armando Arredondo later in life and then dedicated herself to her own little family. She had a son, Hector, who sadly passed shortly after birth, and a daughter, Christina, whom she doted on and became one of the prides of her life. Yolanda lived at times difficult and traumatic experiences but never stopped fighting to make a better life for herself and those she loved. She devoted her time and resources to her community even when she was in need herself and would literally give her last dollar if someone else needed it. She gave everything to ensure her daughter had every advantage in life. For example, she spent years cleaning houses in exchange for music lessons. Ultimately, she helped raise intelligent siblings and daughter who have gone on to build successful lives for themselves and their own families. She loved sewing and crocheting and you were blessed if you received one of her beautiful blankets. Yolanda had a green thumb to be admired but unfortunately did not pass that gift on to her family. In her final years, she was dedicated fully to her beloved grandchildren making sure they had all the love and food and attention they could handle. Throughout her life she imparted the importance of kindness, selflessness, forgiveness, work ethic, volunteerism, reading, education, travel, devotion to church, and a belief that everyone deserves access to care, resources, freedoms, and love. 

Yolanda is preceded in death by her mother, Alicia Arriero (2023), and her husband, Armando (2012), and son Hector (1977). She is survived by daughter, Dr. Christina Arredondo, and grandchildren, Ariadna (11), Maia (10), and Helena (10). She is also survived by her siblings Maria Margarita Arriero, Gerardo Arriero (Irene) and children Citlali, Jenardo, Joaquin, Laura Rodriguez (Edwin) and their children Christopher, Melissa, and Jonathon, Jacob Arriero (Debbie) and their children Melanie, Catherine, and Elisabeth, Maria Elena Bouregy (John) and their daughter Raven, and Andres Arriero and his children Roman, Luna, and Cielo. Yolanda formed strong relationships with her husband’s family and loved each of them fiercely, especially her Goddaughter Paola, often saying they were one of the best gifts she received from her marriage. 

In addition to her family, she leaves behind decades long friendships with people she cherished as well as beloved organizations which she spent decades devoted to including of Sr Jose’s Women’s Shelter, Our Mother of Sorrows (OMOS), the OMOS Ladies Guild, St Vincents De Paul, and the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration.

Yolanda will be well missed and her legacy will continue to live on through those she loved and helped. If she were with us, she would ask for donations to be dedicated to Sr. Jose's Women’s Shelter and St. Vincents De Pauls at OMOS in lieu of flowers and that everyone follow her footsteps of selfless kindness and dedication to others. She truly was the best of us.