Yolanda "Yoli" Romanelli

Yolanda “Yoli” Ortiz Romanelli, age 87, went to be with the Lord on Friday, October 4, 2024 while in the company of her loving family in San Antonio, Texas. Yolanda was born on May 12, 1937, in Del Rio, Texas. While growing up in Del Rio, she attended Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic School from first to eighth grade. She attended San Felipe High-School where she graduated with honors. From there, she went on to Draughon’s Business School in San Antonio. After graduating from Draughon’s, Yolanda returned to Del Rio and held her first job working as a secretary for attorney and city commissioner Chris Aldrete. She drew the praise of her coworkers and supervisors alike for her typing and organizational skills. She was also held in high esteem for her effervescent personality and people skills. Later, a position became available at the Officers Headquarters at Laughlin Air Force Base, located a few miles from Del Rio. And it was there that she met her sweetheart, a young Airman named Tom Romanelli. The two fell in love and later married at the Laughlin AFB chapel. After Tom’s discharge from the Air Force, they moved to his birthplace of Chicago, Illinois and lived there for ten years, where their three children were born. Yolanda worked at the Chicago Teletype Corporation, until she decided to leave the job she loved so dearly to stay home and take care of their children, Robert, Sandy and Michael. Such a move was typical for her, for in her life, family always came first. Chicago was very beautiful with so many places to see and so much to do. She and Tom loved going to sporting events and it was fun for her to watch the Chicago Cubs or the Chicago Blackhawks play. But in the end, Chicago was just too big, and the couple found it difficult to get around, especially after the kids started school. So, they moved back to Del Rio where they made their home ever since. Yolanda worked for the Texas Department of Human Resources in Children’s Protective Services (CPS) for twenty-five years. It was a job near and dear to her heart as it married her organizational strengths with her love for children. She retired in mid-2000 due to her husband's poor health. Lieutenant Thomas Romanelli was employed by the Del Rio Police Department for 28 years until his retirement. Preceding her in death was her husband of 42 years, Thomas Romanelli; parents, Maria and Guillermo Ortiz; aunt/uncle, Otilia and Feliciano Lomas; and cousin, Raul Ceballos. Family members left to cherish her memory include her children: Robert Romanelli and wife Lisa Romanelli of Abilene, TX, Sandra Wenzel and husband Dennis Wenzel of San Antonio, TX, and Michael Romanelli and wife Michaela Romanelli of Copperas Cove, TX; brother, Guillermo Ortiz Jr. of Alabama; grandchildren: Ramon, Yolanda, Thomas, Robert, Crystal, Jeremy; great grandchildren: Holly and Natalie; nephews/nieces: Daniel Ortiz and wife Britany Ortiz, Diana McMurry and husband Bryce McMurry, Veronica Wilson and husband Donny Wilson, and Carmen Muldowney and husband Steve Muldowney. A Holy Rosary will begin on Friday at 9 a.m. A Mass will be held on Friday, October 11, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Pallbearers will be: Jeremy Wenzel, Dennis Wenzel, Robert J. Romanelli, Randy Sunderland, Michael Romanelli, and Ramon Almazan. Burial will follow at Sunset Cemetery at a later date.

Yolanda "Yoli" Romanelli

May 12, 1937 - October 4, 2024