Yolanda Joan Ballesteros

Yolanda Joan Ballesteros died Friday morning, June 9, 2017, at her home in Concho, Apache County, Arizona following a lengthy illness.  She was 65 years old.  Yolanda was born on a Monday, December 31, 1951, in Phoenix, Arizona to her parents, Dolores (Padron) and the late Aurelio Guzman.A resident of the state her entire life, Yolanda loved calling Arizona her home.  While living in the Valley of the Sun, in 1998, she began working for Sun Strand Avionics in Phoenix.  She enjoyed her employment there until December of 2016, when she retired at the age of 65.  When she wasn't working or taking care of her large family, Yolanda loved to dabble in interior decorating, and made her home quite the showplace.  She appreciated the beauty found in nature.  Sunflowers always made her happy and she knew how to grow them.  She also enjoyed camping with family and friends in "her big back yard of the White Mountains" where fishing was usually on the agenda.  Yolanda was a woman of great faith and was an active member of St. Rita's Catholic Church in Show Low.  Always willing to lend a helping hand, she truly tried to follow Jesus' admonition to "Love one another."  Yolanda was a lady, in every sense of the word.  Her generosity, kindness and loving ways will be missed by all whom have loved her and called her friend.  Yolanda is survived by her husband, Jose Ballesteros of Concho, Arizona; 2 children:  Cynthia Rodriguez of Phoenix, Arizona, George Duran of Phoenix, Arizona; 5 step-children:  Sammy & Rose Ballesteros of Phoenix, Arizona, Charles & Patricia Gonzales of Alamogordo, New Mexico, Scott & Christina Heeter of El Paso, Texas, David & Josie Shearer of Phoenix, Arizona, Jessie & Monica Ballesteros of Phoenix, Arizona; her mother, Dolores; 6 siblings:  Olga, Socorro, Victor, Gracie, Alice, Leticia; 26 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren.  Along with her father, Yolanda was also preceded in death by a step-daughter, Cathy Ballesteros.The open casket visitation will be from 6:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M., Tuesday, June 13, 2017, at Owens Livingston Mortuary - White Mountain Chapel, 320 N. 9th Street in Show Low.  At 7:00 P.M., everyone is invited to stay at the mortuary to participate in the Recitation of The Holy Rosary.  The Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will begin 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, June 14, 2017, at St. Rita's Catholic Church, 1400 E. Owens Street in Show Low, Arizona.  Yolanda's family is thankful for all of the expressions of sympathy they have received during this difficult season and are especially grateful for the prayers offered up on their behalf.