Yolanda De La Cruz Crespo
May 03, 1953 - September 12, 2024
Midlothian, Virginia
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Yolanda De La Cruz Crespo
May 03, 1953 - September 12, 2024
Midlothian, Virginia
Obituary
Yolanda de la Cruz Crespo Estrada Hernandez Romero Ponce, 71, resident of Midlothian, VA, went home to be with her mother and father on Thursday, September 12, 2024. She was born on May 3, 1953, in Camagüey, Cuba, to the late Jorge and Georgina Estrada.
She is survived by her beloved husband of 53 years, Juan Crespo; daughters, Irella Lawless (Michael) and Cristie Simpson (Sonny); son, John Crespo-Dowd (Marcus); granddaughters, Zoe and Sydney Keehnle, Patricia Simpson; grandsons, Michael Lawless Jr., John and Ingram Simpson; great-granddaughter, Lyla Payne; sister, Xiomara Franjul; niece, Michelle Lin; nephew, Rafael Franjul; great-niece, Ashley Romero, great-nephew, Tyler Romero, great-grandnephew, Aiden Romero, her perrito, Pepper, and countless others who knew and loved her as “Mami.”
Mami was a force of nature and a kind, brave, beautiful soul. With nerves of steel and a heart of gold, she dedicated her life to nurturing her family with unconditional love and befriending any stranger with her compassion, quick-witted sense of humor, and genuine warmth. A legendary and intuitively talented cook, she never let anyone that walked in her door go hungry or leave with nowhere to go. Always the life of any party, her laughter lit up the room and brought people together. Whether it was expertly dancing salsa with her husband or telling dirty jokes, love and laughter are her enduring legacy. Mami never flinched at the many sacrifices made along the way, her gentle hands spinning straw into gold to provide if necessary. She was a champion of the underdog and fought for her loved ones fiercely.
Our family wishes to acknowledge the immense kindness and grace shown to us by the doctors and nurses at Chippenham Hospital. We are so grateful for the medical trauma unit nursing staff (with an especially big thank you to Stacey, Shelby, and Terry) for bringing a warm light to our darkest of times.
A graveside funeral service will be held on Tuesday, September 17, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at Westhampton Memorial & Cremation Park, 10000 Patterson Ave, Richmond, VA 23238. Flowers may be sent to Morrissett Life Celebration Home at 6500 Iron Bridge Road, North Chesterfield, VA 23234.
Graveside Service
- Date & Time: September 17, 2024 (2:00 PM)
- Venue: Westhampton Memorial & Cremation Park
- Location: 10000 Patterson Ave Richmond, VA 23238 - (Get Directions)
7 responses to Yolanda De La Cruz Crespo
John Crespo says:
September 14, 2024
Mami, you will always be with me in my heart. I will think of you first thing every morning and last thing before I go to bed. You are my best friend and the best mom anyone could have ever asked for. Thank you for loving me unconditionally even when I was screwing up. You were always there for me no matter what. I know you’re up in Heaven with Abuelito and Abuelita and your 14 grandchildren. Dance and be free Mami. I love you with all my heart!
Lyla Payne says:
September 14, 2024
Mami, I literally love you so much. You will forever and always be in my heart, thank you for everything you’ve ever done for this family. You always gave everyone all of your love and treated them like they were apart of this family. Thank you for being here with us, I know your happy in heaven.
Marcus Dowd says:
September 15, 2024
Dearest Mami, our hearts are breaking as we mourn for you. However, I know that your spirit will be here to heal them day by day just as you did for us all your life because that was your magic: nurturing everyone and everything around you no matter the cost to yourself. I cannot express my deep gratitude for you enough. I hope you are resting peacefully with our lost loved ones. We will do our best to follow your example and take care of each other now. Love you forever and ever.
Ileana says:
September 15, 2024
RIP Yolanda, always in the hearts of all that loved you ❤️
Tanya and Kameelah says:
September 16, 2024
Dearest Mami,
We never once thought there would be a day, that we would need to say goodbye to you. We met by chance, however the love you showed our family was so unconditional, it had to be fate. We will continue to speak to you, so please keep your ears open. We will continue to cook things the way you taught us. We will always speak your name, and about the beautiful memories you left us with. We love you Mami, and we’ll see you again to embrace you one day. We love you always Mami. Rest now.
Love Tanya and Gordita (Meelah)