Yolanda Rios, 87, of Cream Ridge, passed away Wednesday, June 4, 2025 with her family by her side. Affectionately known as Yoly, she was born in Batuco, Chile to the late Luis and Euphemia Saavedra, she grew up on a farm and helped her mother churn butter and bake bread. She moved to Santiago, Chile in her teenage years and worked there to help her family. She immigrated to the United States in 1970 and married the love of her life, Guillermo Rios. Together they worked hard and achieved the American dream.

Yoly worked in various factories to help support her family. She was a babysitter to countless numbers of children, many of whom remember her fondly and stayed in touch with her over the years. A talented baker, she was known for her empanadas and her cakes. Yoly loved to bake for family and friends, always remembering to bring them a cake on birthdays and special occasions. Later in life she turned her hobby into a side job and opened Yoly Cakes.

Yoly was known for her kindness and willingness to help others, She was a pillar of support for her hispanic community in Elizabeth, NJ and the surrounding areas. Offering assistance in the form of food, money, or emotional encouragement. Her laugh and radiant smile had the power to brighten any room, and her warmth left a lasting impression on everyone she met.

An avid NY Yankees fan, Yoly and her husband loved watching them on TV. She also enjoyed trying her luck in casinos and she had a serious affection for elephants and collected all things elephant related. During Covid, she discovered a new love for coloring, an activity that provided her relaxation and comfort, often immersing herself in it for hours.

Predeceased by her husband, Guillermo Rios, and her siblings, Juan, Bernardo, and Maria. She was a loving mother and grandmother and is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Miryam and Edgar Utset and her son, William Rios; her grandchildren, Sofia and Benjamin Utset and William and Andrew Rios; her siblings, Domitila, Ricardo, Jorge, and Ana Saavedra, as well as many nieces and nephews.

A viewing will be held, Monday June 9th from 3 to 7 pm at Peppler Funeral Home, 114 So. Main St. Allentown, NJ. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated, 10am Tuesday, June 10th at St. Gregory the Great Church, 4620 Nottingham Way, Hamilton Square, NJ. Cremation will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Yolonda's name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at stjude.org