Yolanda Jane Griego was born in Belen, New Mexico in 1952. She received her BS in Early Childhood Education from the University of New Mexico while putting herself through school, working in administration at the UNM Medical School. She would go on to work for many years as a kindergarten teacher and substitute teacher throughout the Albuquerque area. She was passionate about children’s literature and particularly loved working in elementary school libraries. Later in life, Yolanda found immense fulfillment in her work volunteering for Birthright of Albuquerque, offering resources to pregnant women and mothers, and in lay service to her local Catholic churches.

Yolanda’s passion for children carried over into the greatest joy of her life: raising her own family and being a mother to her three children, Tiffany (1985 - 1986), Gregory, and Kelly. She was an incredible gardener and craftsperson and filled her home with flowers and lovingly crocheted and sewn objects. She loved to travel and instilled that love in her children. Everyone who met Yolanda will remember her for her intelligence, resilience, sweetness, and hope. She was deeply faithful and always believed the best in people. Her laughter was constant and infectious; she kept everyone around her laughing, every day of her life.

Yolanda is preceded in death by her parents, Alex Griego and Dulce Doyle, and her daughter Tiffany Vigil. She is survived by her children, Gregory Vigil and Kelly Vigil (Eliade Novat), her sister Sandy Pruitt and niece Carrie Khalsa, her dear friends Carmen Garcia and Tammy Broxson, and many other beloved friends and family. The family would like to thank Cristina, Erika, Gloria, Linda, Tweety, Michael, Danny, Jeanette, and Justina for their tender care and presence in the last months of Yolanda’s life.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Birthright of Albuquerque or donate your favorite children’s book to the Albuquerque Public Library.

A Rosary will be held at 10am on Friday, March 20, 2026, at Prince of Peace Catholic Community Church, followed by a mass. Interment will take place, following the mass, at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. The family invites you to the reception that will be held at FRENCH-Wyoming, following the interment, to share a meal and memories about Yolanda.