Yolande Jacqueline Dias

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Jackie’s loving embrace extended well beyond the immediate family.

Yolande Jacqueline Dias—beloved by all as Jackie—was called home on July 6, 2026, in Wellington, Florida, after a courageous battle with breast cancer. She was born on April 29, 1963, in Barbados, and from her very first days, she began weaving the tapestry of a life defined by warmth, laughter, generosity, and unwavering devotion to her family and community.

Jackie’s journey began in the loving care of her grandmother, Gwendolyn (“Ma”), who nurtured her with wisdom, kindness, and, notably, the culinary skills that would come to flavor so many cherished gatherings. Jackie’s upbringing was enriched by the presence of her aunts, Angela Branch, Orion Firebrace, Martita Proverbs and Monica Millar, who, along with Ma, instilled in her the values of hospitality, hard work, and unwavering faith. These foundational years prepared her to become the gracious host, loyal friend, and nurturing matriarch she would later be known as.

Jackie attended Clara Barton High School, embracing her education with a determined spirit. Throughout her life, she embodied a tireless work ethic, culminating in her position as a Medical Documentation Auditor with United Healthcare after obtaining Medical Billing & Coding certifications—a career accomplishment she held close to her heart. Through her professional path, she formed lasting relationships, proving ever true the sentiment that she made friends not just for moments, but for lifetimes.

Family was the rhythm of Jackie’s heart. For 41 wonderful years, she was lovingly married to Robert Dias. Together, they built a partnership overflowing with love, laughter, and shared dreams. Jackie and Robert raised two devoted children—Ashley and Robert Jr.—both of whom carry forward her legacy of kindness and resilience. Her brother, Ricardo Clarke, forever benefitted from Jackie’s comforting presence and unfailing support, as did her mother, Brontie Clarke.

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Each memory created with Jackie is infused with her unmistakable generosity and her remarkable ability to transform acquaintances into family.

Jackie’s loving embrace extended well beyond the immediate family. When Jackie’s cousin Kym Nurse passed away from breast cancer in 1998, she stepped into the role of mother figure for Kym’s daughters, Camille and Jamila, offering them guidance and unconditional love in their mother’s absence. Her care was a balm and a gift, and she became a pillar for her extended family during both times of sorrow and celebration.

Those fortunate enough to become part of Jackie’s broad family circle knew firsthand her deep sense of welcome. To her husband Robert’s sisters—Sandra Dias-Johnson, Sharon Grange, Carol Joshua, and Sophia Dias—Jackie was much more than a sister-in-law; she was a confidante, a true sister—as loved by them as their own. Junie Dias, her mother-in-law, considered her not just a daughter-in-law, but a daughter in truth, cherishing their bond as one rooted in daily affection and understanding. Jackie’s family also included her in-law Jessica Goodsell from her brother’s side, reflecting the interconnectedness she fostered with every branch of her family tree.

While her home brimmed with love, Jackie's reach extended outward. Known for her passion for community work through her church, she blessed countless lives with her compassion, energy, and organizational skill. Whether cooking up a delicious meal learned from “Ma,” engaging in church initiatives for St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, or simply gathering friends and family for evenings filled with warmth and laughter, Jackie made every person feel treasured and welcome.

Her character was marked by kindness, humor, generosity, and a nurturing spirit. She radiated family-oriented joy, whether chasing after the latest slot machines and lotto tickets—her fun-loving side on full display—or spending quiet moments in the company of her dearest friends and loved ones. Each memory created with Jackie is infused with her unmistakable generosity and her remarkable ability to transform acquaintances into family.

While Jackie mourned the loss of her beloved father, George Clarke, her grandmother, Gwendolyn Maynard, her grandfather, Herman Whitfield Maynard, her aunt Orion Firebrace, and her cousin Kym Nurse, she carried their spirits within her actions and her boundless heart.

She leaves behind a grieving but deeply grateful family: her loving husband, Robert Dias; her beloved children, Ashley and Robert Jr.; her dear brother, Ricardo Clarke; her cherished mother, Brontie Clarke; her supportive sisters-in-law, Sandra, Jessica, Sharon, Carol, and Sophia; and her devoted mother-in-law, Junie Dias. In addition to her immediate family, Jackie leaves behind a large and loving circle of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family, church family, and dear friends who will forever cherish her memory. Each holds dear the countless lessons, stories, and memories they were privileged to share with Jackie.

The visitation for Yolande Jacqueline Dias will be held on July 24, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Palms West Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 110 Business Park Way, Royal Palm Beach, FL. A funeral service celebrating her extraordinary life will take place the following day, July 25, at 11:00 AM at St Christophers Episcopal Church, 1063 N Haverhill Rd, West Palm Beach, FL, followed by burial at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Cemetery, 10941 Southern Blvd, Royal Palm Beach, FL, at 1:30 PM.

Jackie lived her 63 years as a beacon of hope, love, and spirited joy. Her legacy is etched into the hearts of all who knew her: a life beautifully lived, a soul deeply loved, and a memory cherished for generations yet to come.