On May 18, 2009, Yolanda Aguilera Burns, loving mother and wife, passed away peacefully in the arms of her family. She was 63 years young! Yolanda had a love of life, and the most important things to her were her family, her friends and her love for God. She was born April 18, 1946, in Santa Paula, Calif. After growing up in southern California, she met and married Tony Burns in Lakewood, Calif., at the tender age of 19. They got married on Aug. 7, 1965.
From California, they moved to Alaska and had 15 great and adventurous years. While living in Anchorage, Yolanda worked for the Alaska State Court System.
The family then moved to Highland, Calif., where she proceeded to work for the Riverside County Superior Court System and the Appeals Court for the State of California. She also loved to run in 5K, 10K and marathons, and she even came in first place in her age group in many races. She was very active in her Catholic Parish as well.
Both Tony and she decided to go back to the Northwest and retire on Whidbey Island in the town of Coupeville where they have lived for the last five years. They built their dream house and have loved living the Island life. Yolanda passionately threw herself into the St. Mary’s Parish community. She has served as an active member of the Pastoral Committee, the Ladies’ Altar Society, and has had such a strong impact on the creation of the Adult Bible Study classes, organizing as well as teaching. She dearly loved teaching her students in the Children’s Catholic Education classes too. She will be remembered for her unwavering compassion, love of family and friends, and her deep commitment to her faith!
She is survived by her husband of 43 years, Tony; her daughter, Amy Aguilera Carpenter; her son-in-law Scott Carpenter; her son, David Sean Burns; and many other family members who love her dearly!
The family wants to give special thanks to all her extended family at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Coupeville. We appreciate all the prayers, visits, flowers cards, and music that was shared with us and Yolanda during this difficult time.
The family also wants to give special thanks to the staff in the MAC/Oncology Unit at Whidbey Island General Hospital where they helped her fight her cancer for almost two years, to the staff and caregivers at Careage, and also to the Skagit Hospice Staff, especially Brad, Susan and Carol.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Consuelo and Jose Aguilera. However, new life is coming with the birth of her first grandchild who is due in August. Through her family and friends, and all those who knew her, she will continue to live on in all our hearts!
A funeral Mass will be given at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 207 N. Main St., Coupeville, at 11 a.m. A Rosary will precede the Mass at 10 a.m. in the church.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Burley Funeral Chapel at 30 SE Ely St.; Oak Harbor, WA. 98277.
She will be laid to rest at the Sunnyside Cemetery immediately following the Mass.
All are invited to attend. A reception will follow this back at the Reception Hall at St. Mary’s Church. Remembrances can be made in her honor (Yolanda Burns) for pancreatic research and a cure at: Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 2141 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 7000, El Segundo, CA 90245; or visit www.firstgiving.com/yolandaburns.
