Yolanda L. (Lopez) Govin

Yolanda L. Govin, of Wilmington, DE, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 8, 2025, surrounded by her devoted and loving daughter Yrene Waldron and granddaughter Dr. Heather Rooks by her side at Complete Care At Hillside where she was cared for with dignity and kindness by her caregivers, nurses and Accent Care Hospice staff. Her family also acknowledges the loving care of staff at Brandywine Assisted Living in Rehoboth, where she resided prior to her transfer to Complete Care at Hillside.

“Yoli” as she was affectionately called by her friends and family, was born in 1928 in Havana, Cuba.  She left her beloved country in June of 1962, 4 months after courageously putting her children Yrene then 10 ½ years old and her son Agustin, then 9 years old on a plane under “Operation Pedro Pan” through which over 14,000 unaccompanied Cuban minors fled the wrath of communism. She and dad had no idea if and when they would ever see us again, but her love for us and her faith in God surpassed her motherly fears and anxiety. After relocating to Delaware on August 25, 1962 under the auspices of West Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, lovingly guided by our sponsor Ralph Trader and his family, mom and dad began a new chapter. 

Her sewing skills, taught by her maternal grandmother Soledad, led to a career as a beloved seamstress, first at Joy Cleaners, then Finkels, and finally John Wanamakers on Augustine Cut-Off, where she worked for over 25 years.

Mom was known for her love of family.  A devoted and loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she lived for us.  She loved a good party and good food and was an excellent cook and homemaker.  She was known for her feistiness, integrity, fearlessness and generosity. She never backed down from adversity or challenge and was a very trusting soul.

Mom made homemade baby food for her kids, grandkids Heather and Glenn as well as for her beloved great-grandkids Adrianna and Rook.  She taught them how to climb her beautiful red maple trees in front of her home, giving them courage to climb higher and higher without fear.

She loved taking them to the Brandywine Zoo and river to picnic and skip rocks! It was not the same as when she took her own children to the beautiful beaches in Havana, but it was fun!  She would get up at the crack of dawn and cook a feast and haul it all, along with us on the bus to the beach where we would spend all day.  She would do the same when the destination was the Brandywine!

Mom loved Christmas.  Christmas Eve dinners and gift opening at her home were epic and chaotic, but she was in pure joy that night.  Mom had a personality that was big as life and a loving heart and beautiful smile. She loved sharing stories of her life and adventures in Cuba as a young woman.  She was fearless and adventurous. She worked very hard, was thrifty and very generous. She donated monthly to St. Jude’s Hospital for Children.

Mom lived through a lot of history in her 97 years of life. Even though Mom went through many hardships in her life, Mom was the poster child for resiliency and never ever gave up.  

While stubborn at times and doing it her way, all the way, she always remained positive, loving and a beautiful human being, inside and out.

Now relishing in the afterglow of heaven with her Lord, in which she had total trust, and her beloved family who went before her, she is at peace and smiling, enjoying her well-deserved rewards of a life well lived.

She is survived by her daughter Yrene Waldron of Wilmington, DE; her son Agustin Govin and wife Judy of Lewes, DE; her sister, Trinidad Cabarcos Perez, 4 grandchildren Dr. Heather Rooks, Donna Adams, Austin and Brian Govin, 13 great-grandchildren and, two great-great grandchildren, a niece, and two nephews, and nine great nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to join us for a viewing on Saturday, December 13, 2025 from 9:30-10:30 am at Brandywine Valley Funeral Care, 412 Philadelphia Pike, Wilmington, DE (formerly Beeson of Wilmington). A funeral service will begin at 10:30 am. Burial will be held at Gracelawn Memorial Park, New Castle, DE immediately after the service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her name may be made to St. Jude Hospital for Children at stjude.org/donate.

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