Obituary of Yolanda Acuna Pineda

Yolanda Acuña Pineda Passed away January 4th, 2024 in Tucson, AZ. She was 78 Years Old.

Yolanda, a first generation American of Mexican descent, was a student of Alyce Mills School of Dance, performing by the age of 7. A student and translator for Pepe Antin, from Malaga, Spain, she studied Spanish and Mexican Folk Dance at Binda Tuke Studio. Her first boss, Gilbert Ray, described her as an energetic, trustworthy, dependable and punctual dance teacher. With the money she made teaching dance, Yolanda flew to Panama to be with her husband, serving in the U.S. Army. Upon discharge, they moved to El Paso, TX where she taught dance and toured as a principal dancer throughout Mexico and Southwestern United States with The Ballet Folklorico de Ciudad Juarez, under the direction of Profesor Francisco Javier Flores. Yolanda studied Labanotation through the distance learning courses offered by the Dance Notation Bureau in New York City. Upon returning to Tucson, she continued her Mexican Folk Dance studies with Angel Hernandez, Director of the Tucson branch of Mexico’s National Institute of Research and Diffusion of Mexican Dance. She supported Tucson’s Mexican Folk Dance community through fundraising initiatives. She was also an accomplished licensed cosmetologist.

Yolanda shared her passion for dance, music, Mexican culture and arts with her four daughters and extended family. She introduced and inspired a new generation to the world of art through dance. She was an amazing mother who taught her four daughters to value family, work, education and friends. And every bee-doo-dee she ever met, held a special place in her heart. In all her adventures, she was blessed to have the unconditional love and support of two dear childhood friends, Abigail V. Dominguez and Dr. Flavia Batteau Walton.

Predeceased by husband, Carlos Rivera Pineda, Yolanda is survived by daughters, Mairena Pineda, Mirea and Romyar Sharifi, Maura and Layman Hose, and Ariadne Pineda. Grandchildren Maria (Rob) Keating, Anna Balfour, Elliott Sharifi, Holden, Christian and Sierra Hose and great grandchildren, Charlotte and Matthew Keating and Penelope Hose. Memorial Mass Saturday, May 4, 2024 Santa Cruz Church 9:30 Rosary 10 AM Mass 11:30 Grave site Committal at Holy Hope Cemetery