Yolanda Maria Turpen

Yolanda Maria de Lourdes Araya Silva was born on August 8, 1944, in Santiago, Chile, to Feliciano Araya and Julia Silva. She passed away peacefully on August 3, 2025, at her home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in the arms of her devoted husband.

Yolanda grew up in Santiago surrounded by four brothers and three beloved sisters. Even in her youth, she dreamed big — she would be the “the rich aunt” who would have a career, arriving in her own car, bearing lavish gifts for her nieces and nephews. As a child, she preferred to explore, collecting stones and flowers and reading books perched in her tree at home, pinching her younger siblings to keep them out of her sanctuary. She did not know it yet, but her true gifts were all about compassion and caring for others.

Yolanda had a brilliant mind, she skipped two grades as a child and earned her place in an exclusive nursing program. Yolanda earned her Matrona Degree as a professional midwife from the Universidad de Chile in 1965. Three years later, at just 23, she fell deeply in love and married Charles in a Catholic ceremony at Parroquia San Luis in Santiago, Chile. They later moved to New Mexico, where she welcomed her daughters, Genise Marie in 1970 and Pamela Christine in 1976. While raising her family, Yolanda continued to expand her education, earning an Associate of Arts in Nursing from the College of Santa Fe and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of New Mexico.

Her professional career reflected her heart’s deepest values — family, compassion, and care. She served countless mothers and newborns during her years in the maternity ward at St. Vincent’s Hospital and in family practice settings. She was highly skilled, yet what patients remembered most was her kindness — the way she never forgot a name, greeted everyone warmly, and often surprised new parents in the community with a heart-felt and hand-made gift of compassion. There are likely hundreds of people in New Mexico whose first moments in this world were touched by Yolanda’s steady hands and gentle spirit.

Beyond her career, Yolanda had an undeniable eye for art and fashion. She carried herself with elegance and pride, always putting together looks that reflected her innate sense of beauty. She adored her daughters and, no matter how many overnight shifts she worked, always found the energy to nurture them. She instilled in Genise and Pamela the values of responsibility, education, creativity, and love. Yolanda often said her greatest jewels were her daughters and grandchildren. She never failed to remind them of their innate value, gifts and strengths.

Throughout her life, Yolanda was the connection for her family in the US and her family in Chile, Honduras and France. Flowing between Spanish and English she kept everyone informed of events and delivered messages of love. She deeply loved her motherland of Chile and her homeland of the United States, becoming a naturalized citizen in 1999.

Remaining to cherish her memory are her beloved husband Charles, daughter Genise (husband Andrew), and grandsons Max (partner Hayne) and Sean; daughter Pamela (partner Stephanie) and grandson Mateo. She is also survived by her beloved sisters Gina Cotton (France) and Patricia Piñeda (Honduras); brothers Sergio Araya, Jorge Araya, and Patricio Araya (Chile); as well as their families and many friends around the world.

Yolanda was admired and loved by all who knew her. She had a rare ability to make others feel seen, valued, and remembered. The world was undeniably a better place with her in it, and she will be sorely missed.

A funeral service and memorial will be held on Sunday August 17, 2025, at 12:00pm at Rivera Family Funeral Home in Santa Fe. Should you prefer, in lieu of flowers, consider a donation in Yolanda’s name to Planned Parenthood or St. Jude Hospital.