Yolanda Ann Sagona

Mrs. Yolanda Sagona, age 78, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 6, 2009, at Northside Forsyth Hospital. She was born Oct. 24, 1930, in Brooklyn, N.Y., and was the daughter of Anthony and Beatrice Giorlando. Yolanda was preceded in death by her husband, Peter in 2006; brother, Stephen; and sister, Agnes.

Yolanda earned a bachelor's degree from long Island University and a master's degree from St. John's University. She married Peter Sagona on May 9, 1953. The couple had two sons, Peter Joseph Sagona and Stephen Anthony Sagona. After a career as a teacher with the N.Y. City Board of Education, Yolanda retired to Florida, where she lived for 12 years before relocating to Forsyth County in 2002.

She is survived by her son, Stephen of Flushing, N.Y.; son and daughter-in-law, Peter and Randi of Cumming; grandchildren, Robby and Kristi of Cumming; sister, Gloria Blanco of Jamaica Estates, N.Y.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 11, at Good Shepherd Church with Father Frank Richardson officiating. Interment will be at Georgia National Cemetery in Canton.

Online condolences may be expressed to www.byarsfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (www.leukemia.org).

Byars Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Cumming, Georgia will be in charge of the arrangements, 678-455-5815.