Obituary of Yolanda Ana DeArias

Yolanda A. DeArias y Guerrero, 93, passed away peacefully on February 2, 2024, at the Patriots Glen Assisted Living Facility, Bellevue, WA.

A private Celebration Mass and Burial will be held on March 8, 2024 at 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Seattle Childrens Hospital, The Natale Razore Rockstar Fund at: https://give.seattlechildrens.org/fundraiser/4919978 . Please check the “In memory of” box and include “Yolanda DeArias” as the name.

Yolanda was born in Havana, Cuba on July 26, 1930 to Carlos Guerrero and Ondina Lecuona. As a child in Cuba, she attended El Colegio Estrella and as a teenager La Escuela Normal de La Havana, a high school specializing in developing future teachers. Even as a young girl, Yolanda dreamt of becoming a teacher and developed a passion for the education profession. Yolanda continued to pursue her love of teaching and graduated from La Universidad de La Havana in 1952 with a doctorate degree in Pedagogy. She met the love of her life, Luis DeArias, at the early age of 4. Their fathers worked together as civil engineers and were best of friends. They were married in Havana at La Iglesia de Los Pasionistas on December 21, 1952. In 1961, after the Castro communist regime took over Cuba, she along with her husband, had the bravery and wisdom to leave all belongings behind and escape with their two sons to Caracas, Venezuela. In Caracas and later in Maracaibo, Yolanda continued teaching at a number of private schools. In 1966, the family moved to Seattle, WA where extended family members had settled.

Yolanda taught for over 40 years (10 years in Cuba, 5 in Venezuela and over 25 in the USA). She was admired and respected by her bosses, peers and students throughout her career. She was known for her professionalism, strictness, as well as creativity in developing effective lesson plans that fully intrigued and engaged her students. Often, she would hold extra-curricular activities to provide additional motivation and learning opportunities. Examples include after school Spanish cooking classes, establishing “Foreign Language Clubs”, bringing in Flamenco dancers, and organizing summer trips to Spain with her students.

Yolanda was a devout catholic who prayed the rosary and to patron saints daily. Her strong faith led her to become a Eucharistic Minister at St. Louise Parish in Bellevue, as well as other catholic churches in the Seattle area. She loved to cook, go for long walks and in her later years water aerobics. She also had an interest in fashion and was always well dressed. But most of all, Yolanda loved her family. She absolutely adored spending quality time with family and friends.

Yolanda is predeceased by her husband Luis DeArias. She is survived by her two sons, Louis DeArias (Karen), Ed DeArias (Beth); four grandchildren, Jennifer Wade (Garrett), Michelle Razore (Joe), Eddie DeArias (Alexa), Aimee DeArias; six great-grandchildren, Austin, Olivia and Logan Wade, Lucas, Lilly and Natalie Razore; sister in law Maria Teresita Pratts; two nieces and nephew, Ana Hergert (Alan), Ramon Granda (Rose), Maria LeCuyer (Chris); sister and brother, Graziella Guererro (Jorge) and Carlos Guerrero (Virginia); first cousins Lourdes Morzan Lecuona and Margarita Cardenas Guerrero; and lifelong best friend Magdalena Lancis Fernandez. She is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends who loved her and will miss her dearly.