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Yolanda Marcos McKee “Yoli,” 67, of Tallahassee, went home to be with the Lord on January 23, 2023, after a long battle with cancer. Yolanda was born in Havana, Cuba, to Miguel and Caridad Marcos, and she lived with her family there for five years before immigrating to New York. She grew up in Queens, New York, until the age of 11 when she moved to Lakeland, Florida, with her parents, older sister, Elba, and younger brother, Miguel. She attended the University of South Florida, where she met her beloved husband, Mike, and went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. Later on, she earned her Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology from Oklahoma State University. She spent much of her life as a teacher of many subjects, including Mathematics, Spanish, Science, English, and History through homeschooling her children and teaching in public school for a period of time. She had a brilliant mind and loved to research and read. Yolanda and Mike have three biological children and adopted five children. Yolanda was a devoted wife to Mike and mother to eight kids, Michael, James, Daniel, Joshua, Cristi, Cady, Cathleen, and Cari. Yolanda loved her children fiercely and devoted herself to them entirely. She homeschooled most of them through high school and spent many hours taking her children to Cub Scouts, school functions, Bible studies, music lessons, sports games, educational activities, choir practice, band practice, school activities, nature walks, and church. She could bake anything, sew anything, cook anything, and always made time to listen, help, and talk to her children. Her children are incredibly grateful for the love and support she showered on them every day of their lives. A role model and inspiration to many, Yolanda had a very big heart and was a friend to all. She had a sharp sense of humor and found joy in all things, and she always put a smile on everyone’s faces. Yolanda was the picture of love, compassion, and determination. Even while ill, Yolanda put others first. She always did what she could to help her children, help her friends, and help her community. She was entirely selfless and compassionate and always said, “There are others worse off than me.” Every person Yolanda met, she profoundly impacted. Her legacy of love, selflessness and compassion will live on forever. She loved and feared the Lord, growing up Catholic and then became a member of the Anglican Church. Yolanda is survived by her husband of nearly 48 years, Mike; eight children: Michael McKee and wife Kimberly, grandsons William and Charles; James McKee and wife Stephanie, grandchildren Ryan, Lucy, and Harper McKee; Daniel McKee and Joshua McKee, Cristi Conrad and husband Grayson; and Cady, Cathleen, and Cari McKee; as well as her sister, Elba Marcos; her brother, Miguel Marcos, and many cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Miguel and Caridad Marcos. She will be missed terribly. A celebration of Yolanda’s life will be held at the Bevis Funeral Home Chapel, 200 John Knox Road, Tallahassee, FL on Sunday, January 29, 2023, at 4:00 pm. All who loved Yolanda are invited to attend to celebrate her life. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Compassion International in her memory. Kelly Barber of Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) is assisting the family with their arrangements.

Tributes

Yolanda Marcos McKee

October 28, 1955 - January 23, 2023