Yolanda Venessa Raines Ollivierre

Yolanda Venessa Raines Ollivierre, who resided in Dover, Delaware, departed this life on April 23, 2019. Yolanda was born on June 24, 1952, in New York City, New York, to the late Ruth Alston. She was raised on Caldwell Avenue in the Bronx, New York by William H. and Mary E. Foster (both deceased). She later moved to South Ozone Park, now known as Southside Jamaica, Queens. Yolanda was “SO SOUTHSIDE, REPPIN SSJQ (Southside, Jamaica Queens)”. Strong Black Woman is the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to Yolanda. That would be the term that best described Yo-Yo. Those who knew her well and who were the closest to her would refer to her as “Yody”, “Yo-yo” or “Geronimo”, but you would had to have known her for at least half of her life for her to respond to those names. That means that you were part of her inner circle that included so many men, women and children whose life was impacted by her. Yo-Yo was not only a “Mom” to her own kids, but to any kid in South Side Jamaica, Queens, whether they agreed to it or not. If she caught you doing something that she knew your parents would not agree with, she would automatically take the role of your parent. She would correct you on the spot, by any means necessary, and then take you home to your own mama and watch you get your butt whipped all over again. She believed in the concept of “It takes a village to raise a child” and she was always willing to do her part. The impact that she made on the lives of others is so overwhelming, but just how much of an affect was not felt until after she passed. Be it young or old, the day has not come where whomever crossed her path, has not fallen completely head over heels for Yo-Yo. She was outspoken and blunt, yet had the compassion of a saint. She said what she meant, and meant what she said. Yo-Yo lived for her children. Everything she did was for the betterment of her children, and later on, her grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. The life lessons that she passed down will be her legacy for years to come. She was the epitome of a “Phenomenal Woman” and will be missed, but never forgotten. It is now time for her to take her place among all of God’s angels. Be blessed and rest easy. Yolanda is survived by her husband, Charles “Nathan” Ollivierre; eldest son, William D. Foster Cortes; eldest daughter, Sonia E. Cortes-Addison; youngest son, Anthony T. Raines, and baby girl, Saraya C. Ollivierre; grandchildren, William M. Cortes, Tabitha Flores, Roberta Cortes, Nicole DiNardo, Alvin C. Addison, Aaliyah Y. Addison, and soon to come Anastasia S. Raines and Anthony D. Raines; great-grandchildren, Amir Cortes, Nathaniel DiNardo, Natalie DiNardo, Jaliyah Cortes, Jeremy DiNardo and Jeremiah DiNardo; sisters, Sheila McDonald (Arnold), Deborah Steele (Johnny), Melody White (Tony) and Tonia Jones (Kenny), Debra Kemp and Christine Merritt; brother, Lawrence Foster (Margarite); lifelong friends, Karen Williams, Sharon Owens-Duff and Donna Farley; a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and surrogate children who will miss her dearly. Lovingly submitted by the Family

Yolanda Venessa Raines Ollivierre

June 24, 1952 - April 23, 2019