Yolanda Marstellar 1942-2024

My mom said, “You’re going to miss me when I’m gone!” I would say in my head, “I know! I don’t want to think about it!”

Yolanda Arriola was born on Aug. 19, 1942, to Eduardo and Antonette Arriola in Youngstown. My mom loved Youngstown. She spoke of Youngstown quite often, and missed being there with her sisters and family.

My mom was the eldest of four (4) sisters. She graduated from Rayen High School in 1960. She met my dad, her husband, Frank, while working at M & A Distributing in Girard. She was told not to have me because there was a good chance both of us would die. She was courageous though, had me, and we both survived. I would end up being an only child. She cared for me, worried about me, and loved me all her life!

After M & A Distributing, she would go on to work at Bank One and be a Loan Officer. We would move to Las Vegas in 1990, where she got a job with Centel, which became Alltel, which became Verizon. There she would be a manager and run her own department. After retiring, she would go to work at Red Rock Country Club. It was the job she loved most!

She loved the atmosphere there. And she so enjoyed the times she got to speak to people like Andre Agassi. I recall one time we happened to be in an elevator with Andre and Brooke Shields. My mom was chewing me out about something having to do with school, and Andre along with Brooke were laughing in the back of the elevator. I smile at that now. It also reminds me of the time when it was my first day at a new school, Watson Elementary in Austintown.

My mom walked me to my third (3rd) grade class. She saw the kids were acting up because the teacher was gone. My mom begins to chastise the students. The teacher returns, thanks my mother, then my mom tells me to be good, and to have a good day. She then leaves. “Have a good day?! After that???” I laugh now thinking of moments like these because they were so her!

My mom worried a lot! She yelled a lot!! She complained a lot! But her heart was huge, and she cared and worried about everything and everyone especially those in our family! She was a true Italian mom! And yes, mom… I do miss you so, so much!! I love you!!

Yolanda “Yoli” Marstellar is survived by her husband, Frank; her son, Michael; her daughter-in-law, Yandi; and her three (3) sisters, JoAnn McNinch, Angela Arriola and Katherine DiLallo; along with nieces and nephews.

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