IN MEMORIAM

S. MARIA YOLANDA CORDERO REYES, RVM

(January 25, 1948 – March 19, 2020)

S. Maria Yolanda Reyes was 22 years old when she decided to enter the Religious of the Virgin Mary. She was one of the faculty members of Pilar College then. She is the fifth child of Teotimo Reyes and Veronica Cordero, who were both public school teachers in Zamboanga City.

She started her schooling at the age of seven until she finished her primary and intermediate grades in Talon-Talon Elementary School, Zamboanga City. She then attended Zamboanga City High School. Her vocation started during her last year in high school at the age of sixteen. Her desire to be a religious prompted her to enroll at Pilar College for her tertiary education. She believed that studying in a Catholic school will be of great assistance in her discernment. In 1967-1968, she took up Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education at Pilar College where, after graduation, she was immediately employed in the same school. She was not only a good and efficient teacher, but also a well-known dancer in school shows. She was a talented lady. She stayed at Pilar College Sisters’ convent where she observed the life of the Sisters which enriched her vocation.

She was accepted to postulancy on May 31, 1971 and invested to noviceship on November 20, 1971. She pronounced her temporary profession of vows on February 02, 1974. She made her perpetual profession on March 25, 1981 and celebrated her silver jubilee on February 02, 1999.

Most of her years as RVM were dedicated to the Education Ministry of the Congregation as a teacher, school administrator and Regional Superintendent. Her passion and big heart for Education Ministry was indeed remarkable.

A Sister, who happens to be at Pilar College as an aspirant while S. Yolanda was preparing to enter and has worked with her, later observed and commended her for being an administrator who acknowledged the contributions of others to her successes and accomplishments. She showed willingness in words and deeds to journey with and assist young administrators. She was creative and ingenious. Wherever she was assigned, there was always improvement and progress. She was willing to learn from others, while also appreciating their giftedness and was vocal in expressing her gratitude to them. She was a passionate worker. She always gives her best at whatever task given to her. She pursued her objectives with tenacity, courage, and trust. She was a gutsy administrator, willing to learn from her mistakes, and was hard working.

The same Sister added that, a few years back, S. Maria Yolanda openly admitted that she should have realized when she was younger what she has realized later in her life. She has mellowed through the years and grew in humility as she grew in age. She was welcoming to young Sisters, particularly to those she did not know yet, and would introduce herself to them.

S. Maria Yolanda also experienced being in the Retreat Ministry, which she described as “a refreshing break from schoolwork.” It provided her the opportunity for soul searching which deepened her love for the Lord and gave her new insights about religious life and mission.

Some of those she encountered and worked with described her as strict, principled and a disciplinarian. She was seen as a woman of strong personality, but for some who know her more closely and have seen her softheartedness, she was a servant leader with much compassion for her teachers and staff, for the poor and the needy. She was ever willing to give herself to those who needed her assistance. Even while on their way to the hospital with all her difficulty in breathing, S. Maria Victoria Haban who journeyed with her, recounted that S. Maria Yolanda’s mind and heart were still on her plans and concern for St. Mary’s College of Meycauayan.

S. Maria Yolanda breathed her last at 5:32 this morning, March 19, 2020 on the Solemnity of St. Joseph, the Husband of Mary, due to acute respiratory infection.

Thank you so much, S. Yolly, for the seventy-two (72) years of earthly life. Our deep gratitude goes to you for a life lived for God’s mission as a Religious of the Virgin Mary for forty-six (46) years. Thank you for your passion, for your faith, excellence and service by pursuing innovative programs, approaches and educational strategies in all schools where you were assigned and where you generously extended assistance.

Farewell, our dear, S. Yolly! Jesus, our greatest Teacher, joyfully welcomes you in His Father’s School of Everlasting Love, Peace and Joy. Mary, Joseph, and Mother Ignacia open their arms to you with joy.

We love you, S. Yolly! We will surely miss you! Please pray for us in this time of crisis.

Eternal rest grant unto S. Maria Yolanda, O Lord, 

and let perpetual light shine upon her.

May she rest in peace. 

Amen.