25-year-old paraprofessional at Fall River school, New Bedford native, passes away unexpectedly

A young local woman who worked for Fall River Public Schools, and is being described as a devoted mother, has died.

25-year-old Yolanda Joia of New Bedford, who leaves behind a fiancée and young child, passed away unexpectedly on Friday.

According to an obituary, “Yolanda worked as a paraprofessional at Talbot Middle School, where she cared deeply for the students and staff she worked with each day.”

“Yolanda loved deeply and brought light, warmth, and energy everywhere she went. She loved music, beach days, camping trips, traveling, and soaking up the sun. She enjoyed going out, making memories with family and friends, and dreamed of seeing the whole world one day. More than anything, she loved being surrounded by the people she cared about most. To know Yolanda was to know someone full of love, laughter, and compassion.”

A GoFundMe fundraiser for the family has raised over $25,000 as of this writing.

Visitation will be held at Rock Funeral Home, 1285 Ashley Blvd, New Bedford, MA 02745, US, on May 26, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. A funeral service will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 400 Cross Rd North, North, Dartmouth, MA 02747, US, on May 27, 2026, at 10:00 am. Burial will be at Pine Grove Cemetery.