Friends, family and colleagues pay tribute to late former Advertiser editor

Yolande Taylor, popularly known as Yollie among friends and former colleagues, has been described as a woman who had a great love for writing, community newspapers, and that her skills contributed greatly in shaping many people’s destinies.
The highly respected former media practitioner died at Arwyp Medical Centre, in Kempton Park, on January 29.
Her death came at the age of 71 after a long illness, according to her family.
A cremation was held after a memorial service on February 3.

Condolences have been pouring in from friends, colleagues and relatives since Yollie’s passing.
Described
Hilary Green, former editor of Boksburg Advertiser and Benoni City Times, and group editor of Caxton East Rand newspapers said Yollie was her friend and colleague for almost 40 years.

They met in the early 1980s while working at the Boksburg Advertiser and Benoni City Times (then Amalgamated Press).
“I’ve known her as a caring, loyal friend and dedicated and knowledgeable sub-editor, journalist and editor.
“I will miss her forthright comments, enquiring mind and interest in people she met and a variety of topics.
“I will also miss being able to share with her our memories of times and colleagues who worked with us over the years,” Green said.

Ina Gouws, former Get It magazine editor and Boksburg Advertiser news editor, said she became friends with Yollie decades ago and described her as a best friend who was very passionate about local media, the Boksburg Advertiser in particular.
“We used to share almost everything we had going on in our lives; all our happiness and sad moments. If I had problems, she was the first one to know.
“To lose a friend of 40 years is heartbreaking. I couldn’t ask for a better mentor. She was the best mentor. I don’t have enough words to describe her. She was a free spirit and a happy person. A big tree has fallen.”

Melissa-Lee Taylor (49), Yollie’s eldest daughter, described her mother as a person who was absolutely brilliant; extremely knowledgeable about anything and everything.
“Yollie was very eccentric. She questioned everything in life – everything, be it religion, politics or whatever. She hated racism and was a great activist for the abolishment of apartheid.
“My mom cared a lot about other people and loved animals with a passion. She was a perfectionist of note, especially when it came to her work and the use of the English language.
“We grew up with the most incredible knowledge because of her. We were challenged all the time. I think she had a great influence on many people, including myself.
“My mom never lived like a queen because she was giving a lot to others. Material possessions meant nothing to her … zero, as she was very much into spiritual connections.
“In that way, she was my idol, and I will miss everything about her. Yolande, many people are who they are because of you, you’ll be sorely missed by everyone here.”

Daughter Laura Whitehead (37) also conveyed the following message to her mother: “I am so very proud that you are my mommy. I will always love you more than words could ever express. I really miss you.”
Whitehead also paid respect to her mother with a short story by Oscar Wilde, The Canterville Ghost: “Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses waving above one’s head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no tomorrow. To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the portals of death’s house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is.”

Yollie is survived by her two daughters, two grandchildren Daine (27) and Brandon (25), two brothers Andre de Villiers and Jean Pierre de Villiers, and a sister, Jeane de Villiers.

Background

Born in Brixton (Johannesburg) on May 15, 1950, Taylor attended school at Jeppe High School for Girls, before moving to the East Rand and attended school in Benoni.
After high school, she studied to become a librarian and after finishing her studies she worked at the Boksburg Library.
However, according to her family, she didn’t like the job and at the age of 19 left the library and joined the Benoni City Times to work as a journalist.
That’s where and when she met her life partner, Warod/Rod Taylor, who was also working as a reporter for the newspaper.
The couple was two years later in 1971 blessed with a baby Melissa.

In the early 80s, Taylor moved to the Benoni City Times’ sister publication the Boksburg Advertiser.
There she worked as the editor before she subsequently moved to the subs desk – sub-editing and mentoring journalists for newspapers, including the Boksburg Advertiser, Benoni City Times, Brakpan Herald, Springs Advertiser, African Reporter and Kempton Express.
She retired at the age of 63 but continued sub-editing for two years before she left Caxton in 2016.

General manager at Caxton Local Media East and South division, Linda Pretorius, extended her condolences on behalf of management and staff. “Yollie was a well-respected sub-editor and employee and will be sadly missed by all who knew her and worked with her. “I was very aware of the incredible passion Yollie had for our newspapers and the journalists she worked with closely. “Yollie’s contributions to this company during her many years of service will not be forgotten,” said Pretorius.

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