Yolanda Paletta

Yolanda Paletta, 91, of Ferndale Michigan and formerly of New Kensington, passed away on Saturday, December 17, 2022. 

She was born March 31, 1931 to the late Gaetano & Caterina Bossio-Paletta, graduated from Ken-Hi in 1950, and left the New Kensington area in 1953, seeking economic opportunity and made a life for herself in the Detroit, Michigan metropolitan area.  Initially, she was employed at Hudson’s Department Store and later with Ford Motor Company in the engineering department.  In 1960, she began a 35 year career with Modco-Valenite, later GTE Valenite a tool and die manufacturer that provided products internationally, retiring from there in 1995.

Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her five older siblings and their spouses,  Rosena (Emilio) Vigilante in 1967, Joseph P. Paletta in 1977, Michael (Delia) Paletta in 1983, A

Augustine (James) Ziencik in 1996 and Concetta (Russell) Kuecken in 2007; and two nieces, Mary Louise Vigilante and Anna Mae Ziencik; and three nephews, Nicholas, Joseph and Anthony Vigilante; and four great-nephews.

Survivors include her sister, Pauline Scandrol of Lower Burrell and brother, Leo (Donna) Paletta of Payson, AZ; three nieces and nine nephews; nine great nieces and 12 great nephews; 13 great-great nieces and 12 great-great nephews.

Yolanda was a feminist before the concept was invented.  She was proud of the fact that in 1968 she qualified for a mortgage to purchase her home when it something of a rarity for a single woman.  She purchased her first automobile in 1954 without first acquiring a driver’s license.  Yolanda was much loved, and appreciated for her strong will, fastidious temperament and generosity.  Mostly she delighted in the accomplishments, career success, exploits, careers, foibles and follies of her many nieces and nephews.  If her life was ever set to music, the orchestration would be, “My Way.”

The family wishes to thank her life-long friends and neighbors in Michigan; Mike Arquero, Janet Carpenter, Carl Edinger, Roseanne Simon, Russ Maes and Sharon, Geraldine Utsler, Sharon VanDenabel and Judy McRobb for their devoted and loyal friendship and to the staff and care givers of New Genesis Senior Care and residential Hospice, both of Troy, MI for their care.

Family and friends will gather on Thursday, December 22, 2022 at 10 AM in ROSS G. WALKER FUNERAL HOME LTD., 217 Freeport Road, New Kensington where a service will be held at 11 AM with her nephew, the Reverend Dr. Donald G. Scandrol, officiating.  In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The American Lung Association. 

The funeral service will also be available via livestream on Dec 22, 2022 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada).

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us05web.zoom.us/j/83675630153?pwd=N0NuenV0czZPanZ0cGlCYTVWekR1UT09
Meeting ID: 836 7563 0153
Passcode: 1234

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Yolanda Paletta, please visit our floral store.