Yolanda Gaylor

Yolanda "Yo Yo" Gaylor, age 82, passed away on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at St. Joseph Residence in New London. She was born in Crystal City, Texas, on December 18, 1942 to the late Leonardo Sr. and Juanita (Marinez) Hernandez. She relocated to Shiocton, WI, with her family in 1951. In 1961 the family moved to Palmyra, WI, where YoYo graduated from High School. Returning to Shiocton the following year, she would become a lifelong resident. She was a life long member of St. Denis Catholic Church in Shiocton, and later became a member of St. Pius X in Appleton.

She married Leo Joseph Smith in a traditional Spanish wedding in 1964, the first of its kind in the area. Their wedding was an entire section of the Appleton Post Crescent. Leo and her son Joseph preceded in her death, leaving her to raise their daughter, Lori.

Later she was united in marriage to George "Edward" Gaylor. Together they built a home just down the road from her mother, so they could build a life together centered around her family. Ed preceded YoYo in death on May 24, 1999, shortly before celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary.

Yo Yo worked so very hard her entire life. She worked as a clerk at Don's SuperValue in New London, for 18 years. She then took a role with K-Mart, where she met the love of her life, Ed. Later she retired from SCA Tissue, Neenah, after over 20 years.

As the oldest of five children, YoYo saw her sole mission as a carer for her family. She devoted her life to taking care of her best friend, her mother Juanita, until the day she passed. First, brothers and sister, then parents, then husband and daughter, nieces and nephews and finally, her favorite role of all, grandmother. Her granddaughter Natalia was her pride and joy. YoYo treasured every second spent with Natalia. And Boy! Was she ever the Best Grandma!

YoYo was known for her fierce loyalty to those she loved. She was also famous for her mad driving skills, able to drive down the middle of the road while putting make-up on and being able to move over in time to avoid any accidents. She loved her family and she loved shopping. Yoyo spent many years as Santa to her many nieces and nephews, leaving them with the memories of matching childhood outfits. She was a giver; she gave freely, all she had, asking nothing but love in return. She loved music, from Spanish to Kenny Rogers to Martina McBride. And oh, the colorful language skills from working in a mill so many years. Her laughter was contagious and her temper legendary.

She is survived by her daughter, Lori Sommers; granddaughter, Natalia Sommers; brothers: Louie Hernandez and Willie Hernandez, many nieces and nephews which include Chad, Lance (Crystal), Bobby (Carly) and Craig (Amber).

In addition to her parents and husbands, she was preceded in death by a son, Joseph Smith; sister, Susan Meidam and her husband Robert; and brother, Leonardo Hernadez Jr.; sister-in-law, Barb Herdandez; and nephew Christopher Hernandez.

The funeral mass for Yo Yo will be held on Thursday, May 1, 2025 at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Appleton at 11:30 am. Visitation will be at the church from 9:30 am until the time of the mass. Interment will take place at Highland Memorial Park in Appleton.

We would like to thank Lori, Kaj, Rene and Mel at St. Joseph's, for you compassion and caring in my mom's final hours. You were the Angels we prayed for. And to Tanya, from EnCompass Hospice, you were born to do what you do. Thank you!

My Mother's love was something, that I just cannot explain,

It was made of fierce devotion and sacrifice and pain.

She always thought of others first, while she was left with none,

So many took for granted, all that she had done.

When I was just a little girl, she always used to say,

"Hazte fuerte meja, I won't be here someday".

In life I loved you desperately, In death I do the same,

Can you hear me mama? Calling out your name?

No puedo ser fuerte mama, I promise you I try,

I know we'll be together again, I just can't say good-bye.

I hope that you can hear me mama, and listen to my thoughts,

And wherever this life takes me, know that I've not forgot.

Tuesday morning when you left me and gained your angel wings,

I begged you not to go as my heart just broke in two,

I screamed for you to stay with me, but Heaven needed you.

I held you close and squeezed you tight and tried to say good-bye,

I'd lost my mom and my best friend, all my heart could do was cry.

Though I can't hear your voice or feel your touch once more,

I pray you walk beside me still as you always had before.

Here on Earth I search for you and pray to God for a sign,

You loved me my whole life, I will miss you for the rest of mine.

Can you hear me mama? Calling out your name?

I feel you all around me, but I will never be the same.

You watched me take my first breath, you held me oh so tight,

I watched you take your last in death, you could no longer fight.

I pray to you in silence, calling out your name,

All I have are memories and a picture in a frame.

Your love is my life's keepsake, of which I'll never part,

God has you held in his embrace, I have you in my heart.

Sweet Jesus, take this message to my mama up above,

Tell her how desperately we miss her and give her all our love.

They tell me faith is what is required for things we cannot see,

Heaven is promised to all of us if only we believe.

If Heaven had a window and God gave me a view,

Of all the beauty it beholds, I would only look for you.

Because of you, once in time, I was blessed with love so pure and true,

So if Heaven had a window, I would only look for you.

Fly High My Beautiful Sweet Mama, rest now in the arms of God,

Surrounded by your family, yet tethered to me with love.

I Love You MaMa - Kiss Grama & Susie for me

Lori

Yoyo, I will talk to you everyday! Please be with me!

Natalia