Yvonne Olivia is a Tucsonan whose friends and family describe her as hardworking, generous, compassionate and kind — with a gift for bringing people together. Even amid a difficult road to recovery since having a stroke in April, her loved ones say she has maintained her sense of humor and lively spirit.
“She’s always there to support people that she cares about — she’s always been there to support our family and all of her friends,” said Vanessa Corona, a longtime family friend to Yvonne. “She can be shy at times, but she’s cheerful, funny and a very faithful person and it makes you happy just to be around her.
“She’s the best kind of friend you could ask for.”
To help Yvonne and her family with medical expenses and to keep her afloat while she recovers, Corona organized a fundraiser scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 19. The event will take place at Sea of Glass — Center for the Arts and include a lineup of live entertainers.Yvonne previously performed with the hula group Halau Hula O Ualani, which will perform at the fundraiser in support of her. Miana y la Musica will perform music across multiple genres — especially songs that people can dance to, Corona noted.
Additionally, the fundraiser will include food trucks, such as Gelu Italian Ice, Pop-Up Pizza Factory and D’s Smash Street, and Sea of Glass will open its bar for the participants. Corona also said organizers are also planning a raffle or silent auction. While the event is free to attend for all ages, Corona said that donations are encouraged and graciously accepted. Interested parties can also donate to Yvonne’s GoFundMe — gofund.me/39ca0ef5d.
Corona said she has known Yvonne for over 20 years. She said her mother forged a friendship with Yvonne and she soon became part of their family. After her stroke, Corona said she and their mutual friend Rosie rallied together to begin fundraising efforts — including starting a GoFundMe page.
For Corona, the number of people who have stepped forward to help reflects the role Yvonne has long played in bringing others together. She said that throughout their decades of friendship, she has repeatedly met people whose own friendships began through Yvonne.
“People have told me, ‘Oh, I met one of my best friends through Yvonne,’” Corona said. “That’s been the case for myself as well, because she tends to bring a lot of people together.”
Yvonne, 49, suffered a hemorrhagic stroke in April. She underwent a major surgery and Corona said her doctors explained the road to recovery would be long. Corona said that Yvonne is currently in the rehabilitation step of her recovery — and that it has not been easy on her. Despite the challenges Yvonne faces, Corona said, her doctor remains surprised by her progress.
“She’s had setbacks, but each time, she makes another step forward — and even these baby steps are huge,” she said. “The doctor has said that she is a miracle.”
As described by her friend, Yvonne is an individual who loved to work and maintained two or three jobs at a time. She took up multiple volunteer opportunities throughout her community and was very involved in her church. Yvonne is a hula dancer with a deep love and appreciation for Hawaiian culture and has served as a dog sitter for many clients who trust her with their pets.
In light of the effort to help her longtime friend, Corona said she is very grateful to the organizations and individuals who have donated their time, money and services to Yvonne’s cause. In addition to the venue, food trucks and performers, contributors include Bucks Automotive, Silver Sea Jewelry, School of Rock Tucson and Border States.
Across over 20 years of friendship, Corona said that she has always been taken with Yvonne’s giving nature and love for people and animals alike. As Yvonne continues in her rehabilitation, Corona said she hopes her longtime friend continues approaching her recovery with the same determination and spirit she has shown so far.
“Just keep being determined,” Corona said. She’s been facing this with such grace and kept a sense of humor throughout, even as difficult as it’s been.
“Never give up. We all love and miss her.”
