Yolanda Irene Brugaletta

Brugaletta, Yolanda Irene - Age 92, of Birmingham, passed away January 7, 2026. Arrangements are being handled by Sharp Funeral Homes, Fenton Chapel, 1000 Silver Lake Rd., Fenton Michigan 48430.

Yolanda was born November 3, 1933 in Berkley, Michigan, the daughter of John and Henrietta (Beaufour) Brugaletta. She earned her BS in Marketing and Advertising from Northwestern University, in Evanston IL (1955), her M.Ed. in Guidance and Counseling from Miami University in Ohio (1961) and did post graduate studies in Psychology. She was a member 0f Pi Beta Phi Fraternity at NU and a member of the Saddle Club in Chicago.

In 1984 Yolanda as honored as Chicago Advertising Woman of the Year. The award recognizes women who have made outstanding contributions to the advertising profession through their own accomplishments and through the development of others in the industry. She was the first creative research person to receive this award.

When she retired, after 25 years in marketing, she was the Senior VP, Research Director at Campbell-Mithun-Esty in Chicago. She had also worked at McCann-Erickson in New York, Foote, Cone & Belding Communications in Chicago, and Needham, Harper, & Steers in Chicago. She began her career in creative research at the personal care division of Gillette. Over her career she became one of the nation’s experts in qualitative research, translating consumers’ needs and language to advertising and marketing strategies. She conducted over 2000 consumer group interviews.

She was quoted in articles and was the featured speaker at National Meetings in the Advertising and Marketing fields. Her major accomplishments include contributing to successful campaigns for McDonald's, Campbell Soup Company, State Farm, Pizza Hut, Bob Evans, Kraft, General Mills, Huggies, Kroger, the American Egg Board, Morton Salt, and Lassie’s Recipe Dog Food.

She enjoyed being in ‘research mode’. She was very inquisitive and quick witted: enjoying conversations and gatherings with friends. She was unconventional and fun. Her twinkling blue eyes and laugh could light up any gathering. The Kentucky Derby was one of her favorite events.

Surviving are: nieces and nephew, Nancy Townsend, Debra (Walter) Oben, Bradford Theodoroff; nine great-nieces and great-nephews; many great-great- nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and sister Gloria Theodoroff.

Tributes may be shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com.