Tributes

Ydolina Villareal Lopez slipped into God’s embrace with the unbound faith and grace that defined her 90-years.Loving, leading and anchoring the lives of all who knew her, Ydolina wore many tags. And she wore them as impeccably as the thousands of custom garments she designed, stitched, hemmed and darned.By any name -- Cosa, Double, mom, momma, mother, Aunt Ydo, Nana, Grandma Lopez, sister, friend and hija -- Ydolina was immeasurably strong and full of vigor. She danced audaciously. She laughed unashamedly.She talked, boundlessly.And she went to Las Vegas, Lake Charles and the bingo hall -- successfully. Despite having chapters of her life filled with heartbreak that might have emptied lesser souls, Ydolina’s only grew stronger. Deeper. And more embedded in hope and optimism. Her resolve was a testament to the beacon of her own life. It was a reflection of the distant beam that always steadied her course: God and church. Faith and trust. Forgiveness and eternal peace. For years, after being preceded in death by her husband, Brigido, son, Manuel, and daughter, Faydell, she proclaimed, “I guess I’m still here for a reason.”But anyone who knew Ydolina always knew the reason.She was the example. She, in fact, was a beacon.The world changed multiple times over the course of Ydolina’s life, but she never did. Values skewed and sincerity wavered, but hers never compromised.She saw the birth of the Model-A. She also saw her grandson’s graduation on GoToMeeting.com. Everything changed in Ydolina’s life, except her humility, modesty and understanding.And that is what we celebrate. For those who miss her dearly and weep selfishly, that is what will guide us.We will remember and hopefully pass to future generations, how she never worried about the waves that crashed around her, because she knew the beacon on the horizon would guide her home. The memory of Ydolina, the example she was and unwavering faith she had, will be the light that, hopefully, helps us fulfill the rest of our days in her honor. For her surviving children – Laura Stinson, David and John and spouses Norm, Debby and Jan. For the dear Cantus, who were a part of so many memories. For Jimmy, Mary and Robert Lopez and their dear spouses and families. They were as much sons and daughters to Ydolina, as they were brothers and sisters to us. For Grandma Lopez’ 16 grandchildren -- Lea Ann Stinson, Brigid Lopez, Albert Lopez, Herbie Salinas, Gilbert Salinas, Kristy Bass, Kelli Carr, Janine Rodriguez, Alyssa Rodriguez, Carly Gentry, Christian Lopez, Sean Lopez, Shea Lopez, Jacob Lopez, BG Lopez and Leah Lopez. For the 16 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. For her dearest lifelong friend and sister in most every way, Olga Sochor Leal. For anyone who was blessed to have Ydolina in their life. Let the faith and love that was at the core of everything she did resonate in ways large and small. Especially the small. The small things are how Ydolina made us all feel better, until her final breath.She could make you feel proud of things you didn’t even know were accomplishments. Because truthfully, just about anything and everything you did made her proud.She made a heck of a potato salad. She made homemade tortillas and a pot of beans just about every week of her life. Those were the simple comforts she offered that never got old. She sat at family gatherings, sometimes just watching from a corner chair, smiling warmly. Because it made her happy. It was family. She could tell you what she really thought in sharp, unfiltered terms. But she also made you feel good about it, because faith and love were at the foundation. She never even enjoyed going camping on the beach for all those decades she went with family. But you never would have known it. She smiled, held the tent poles, rubbed sun block on backs, made sandwiches that crunched with sand and always was up first, so everyone else could wake up to the smell of bacon sizzling on the Coleman stove.These are the things that hopefully always resonate. Those are the things that should be the beacon and Ydolina’s legacy. In her later years, when kids and grandkids went on to their own lives and families, without fail she ended every telephone conversation the same way. Even when all of us occasionally got too caught up in our own lives to remember to call for a few days, maybe a week, she never complained. And when you did speak with Ydolina, she would pause the Game Show Channel and ask about you. Your life. Your kids. And before you hanged up the phone, she always said the same thing, “Thank you for calling.” Ydolina also always had an eye and talent for fashion that was awe-inspiring. Borne out of necessity, it proved to be a gift few possess.She designed skirts and blouses for neighbors and friends, so she could earn a few extra dollars, which she always passed on to her kids one way or another. But she also made magnificent gowns and dresses that could have graced magazine covers. In fact, she could look at a picture of a $10,000 dress on the cover of Vogue and send you to your big event in the exact dress, looking like a Hollywood starlet. For about 75-bucks. Ydolina will be laid to rest in a gown she designed and sewed for her 25th wedding anniversary. It was a replica of her wedding gown. She designed it in her mind’s eye and made it by hand, stitch by stitch.She will be reunited with the man of her dreams, her husband of 39-years, with whom and for whom she lived.She will dance.She will laugh.She will talk. And if there is a Las Vegas up there, Ydolina and Brigido finally may even take that trip together they always talked about. Ydolina’s work here now is done. The beacon brought her home. Visitation : Friday, September 18, 2020 from 5:00pm – 7:00pm at Alamo Funeral Chapels, 624 N. Alamo, San Antonio, TX 78215. The funeral home requires that everyone wear a mask and they will assist us in maintaining social distancing. Rosary: Saturday, September 19, 2020 at 11:30am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00pm at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, 210 St. Ann St, San Antonio, Texas 78201, 210-734-6687. St. Ann’s also requires everyone wear a mask. It is a large church and 100 people are allowed in the church. Every other pew is cordoned off and families may sit together and disregard the specific signs that are used for Sunday Mass. Burial: We will proceed to Karnes City (~1:30 hours each way) for the burial. If you choose to join us, it is recommended you bring a snack/lunch and a beverage for the long ride. We expect to return to St. Ann’s at 5:00pm and welcome you to join us in the Community Center across the street from the church for food and fellowship. If you are interested in making a donation in her name, please send to St. Ann’s Guadalupana Society at the Church address above. The entire Lopez family would like to thank you all for the prayers and condolences during this time.

Tributes

Ydolina Villarreal Lopez

August 26, 1930 - September 9, 2020