Yolanda D. Calacat

Yolanda (nee Piedad-DeJesus), 83 years old, of Haddon Township, NJ died on Thursday, January 30, 2025, in Camden, NJ, while surrounded by her family.

Yolanda “Yolie” was born on April 18, 1941, in Manila, Luzon, the Philippines, to Delfin Reyes De Jesus, Sr. and Natividad Piedad-De Jesus. Yolie was the vibrant first-born of their eight children.  Though her earliest memories of life were clouded by a war-torn Philippines. Yolie and her family survived the harsh realities of an occupying oppositional force during World War II.  It made Yolie’s family that much stronger and closer.  Her family was able to continue on and grow because of faith, love, and strength.

Yolie attended and graduated from Jose Abad Santos High School, located in the Binondo section of Manila, in 1956.  In high school, she and a special group of friends began the Lucky 13 Club that stayed close all the years of their lives.  Yolie was a smart, determined, and dedicated woman.  Not only did Yolie want to have purpose in life, but she wanted to always provide for her family in every way.  After high school, she enrolled at the Philippines College of Commerce.  Upon graduation, Yolie quickly found work as a highly trusted civilian employee for the US Navy / Marine Corps Base at Sangley Point, near Manila, Philippines.  This was where she would cross paths with her future husband, the love of her life Gunnery Sergeant Morris Calacat (USMC).  As if guided by destiny, Morris had been assigned to the same US Marine Corps Admiral’s Office as Yolie. A true love story began.   Their relationship blossomed despite the long distance.  In the mid-1960’s, Yolie immigrated to Canada bringing them closer in every way.  Yolie and Morris were married in Canada in 1969.  They began their married life together in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.  There Yolie raised two children while Morris was away assigned throughout the world.  She held strong while Morris completed multiple tours of duty in Vietnam, accepting her role and duty as a military spouse.  With Morris’ retirement from the Marine Corps, the family moved to Port Reading, New Jersey. Yolie started her administrative assistant career with Bird and Son, a local roofing company in New Jersey.  She next obtained a position as administrative assistant to a department Dean at Middlesex College in Edison, New Jersey.  There she remained employed until her retirement in 2007. During her three decades of dedicated service to the college, Yolie experienced multiple promotions, challenging but fun work, and many life-long friendships.

Another significant part of her life began in 1998. This was when Yolie became a first-time grandmother and her beloved title of “Lola” which is “grandmother” in her native Tagalong language was gratefully bestowed upon her.  She was truly a magnificent Lola to Abby, Emmy and Xavi. To Abby and Emmy, she was a deeply devoted supporter to all their endeavors, showing up at every activity. To Xavi, she wanted to be the best Lola she could be, even from far away.

Shortly after retiring, she sold her Port Reading home and moved to Haddon Township. Lola proudly lived on Jess Avenue, meeting neighbors that quickly became friends. Trying to find herself again, she connected with the local church. This was how she became a part of the loving parish of Saint Joseph the Worker in Haddon Township. Not only did she find comfort in prayer and service of the Roman Catholic faith, but she found purpose in life again while making many more friends.  Lola then had another change of residence to Haddon View Apartments in Haddon Township where again she touched the lives of the people she knew.

Yolie had a good pure spirit. She loved music, reading books, gardening, giving helpful advice, watching old classic movies and TV shows, working on puzzle books and just being a “Lola” to all.

Lola was predeceased by her faithful and loving husband, Morris, in August of 1993. She is survived by her daughter Cynthia Henkel and her husband Danny of New Jersey, and her son Jeffrey and his wife Julie of Hockley, Texas.  She is also survived by her three devoted grandchildren, Abigail and Emerson of New Jersey, and Xavier of Texas.  She also leaves behind a group of loving sisters and a brother, along with their families. Yolie will truly be missed by all who knew her.  She deeply loved her family, her friends, and her community and was truly blessed to have them love her back.

Lola Yolie is now at peace and is spending eternity in the loving embrace of Christ, her beloved husband, Morris, and her dearly departed family. She will be laid to rest alongside her husband at Rosedale Cemetery in Linden, New Jersey.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Visitation, Monday, February 10th from 9:30 – 10:45 AM at Saint Joseph the Worker Parish, St. Vincent Pallotti Church, 901 Hopkins Rd. Haddon Township, NJ. Her eulogy will begin at 10:45 AM, followed by her Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, to honor Yolie’s memory, please do something nice for someone you don’t know, or donate in her memory to St Joseph the Worker Parish at the address above.  Arrangements by Jackson Funeral Home, Haddon Township, NJ www.jacksonfh.net