Pretty in Pink
Fuchsia was Yvonne Kalman’s favorite color, so when invitations to her Celebration of Life dinner were sent out, it was requested that attendees wear pink, white, or a combination of the two.
Casa Yvonneka, high above the city, became a gigantic bougainvillea for the evening. Enormous photographs of Yvonne in pink-glittered frames lined the entrance way, lit by candles that flickered into the night. Each table held floral arrangements with every kind of pinkish flower available in Vallarta.
Yvonne’s ashes, in a white ceramic urn, were ceremoniously carried onto the pool terrace where tables were set for dinner under the stars. We stood in respect as the host for the evening, Yvonne’s dear friend, and mine, Matthias Vogt, said a few words. Many of Yvonne’s friends spoke with deep feeling, some tearfully, of their love for her. A recording of Yvonne’s voice talking about happiness drifted through the air, and for a few eerie, but splendid moments, it was as if she were there with us again.
Conversations were lively as strangers got to know one another, starting with Yvonne and branching out from there. Old friends hugged and drank toasts in her honor.
The longest common thread among those who spoke was Yvonne’s generosity and her passion to give back to the community of Puerto Vallarta through her Foundation that supports Puppy Paradise. How many hundreds of previously stray dogs could attest to that? Her other passion was to keep her father’s music alive. As one guest said last night, the name Emmerich Kalman is as important to a European as Gershwin is to Americans.
I first met Yvonne on Matthias’ arm at a Vallarta Garden Club function on a sunny afternoon, ten or more years ago. I loved her instantly – she had more style and Old-World grace than any woman I had seen in Vallarta. In a land of shorts, teeshirts, and flip-flops, here was Yvonne looking as though she had just stepped off the working set of Gone with the Wind, exchanging the bonnets for flowers. Simple but chic, leaning toward embroidered huipiles, like Frida Kahlo, and family jewelry on her neck, fingers, and wrists. Lots of jewelry. She was so lovely, and while her presence will be missed; her Yvonneka Foundation will continue.
I was so honored to be at her Celebration of Life. She would have been delighted with everything: the food, the flowers, the conversation, the weather, the wine, the mariachi, and being serenaded by her friend, tenor Enrique de Allende. And seeing all of her friends dressed in pink would have made her laugh out loud. Rest in peace, amiga.
I hope to see everybody late this afternoon at Chachalaca Bar from 6 to 8 for Jerry Jones’ Out & About Magazine’s fabulous Gay Mixer. Tomorrow is our second Scrabble Tournament of 2026 at Qulture at 12:30, followed by Bingo for Colina Spay & Neuter Clinic, upstairs, 4 pm, at Nacho Daddy, and Brian Justin Crum at Coco Cabaret at 7 pm. See you everywhere, From Here.
