Yolanda Katz, 87, of Red Bank died March 27, 2011 at Gateway Care Center, Eatontown.Yolanda was born on May 9,1923 during the World War II period when the German Army occupied and then retreated from her burthtown of Napoli, Italy. Yolanda was forcefully taken as a slave laborer prisoner. She escaped from German and made her way back home to Italy on her own. After the war ended in 1946, she entered and won a beauty talent contest and performed in an Italian movie, "Melody of the Gulf." She received an outstanding review in the theater newspaper, identifying her stage name as Miriam D'Astis. She gave up a promising movie career to marry the love of her life, her husband, Ruben, who was an U.S. Army soldier, who was stationed in Italy during and after the war ended. She was employed as an electrical assembler for 13 years for the Bendix Corp, retiring in 1980. She was a parishioner at St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church, Red Bank. Her civic activities included membership in the Red Bank Elks Auxiliary, #233. She is survived by her husband of 64 year, Ruben ; a son, Anthony Katz of Wanamassa; a sister, Ida Trenet of Red Bank; one grandchild Michele and her husband, Jon Glover; three great grandchildren. Joseph, Stephanie and Samantha; and a godchild, Sheila Lightbourne of Florida.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be a 10:00 am on Friday, April 1 at St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church, 121 Bridge Avenue, Red Bank. The family invites you to leave an online condolence at www.damianofuneralhome.com
Damiano Funeral Home, Long Branch was in charge of the arrangements.
