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YVONNE MAE GRAHAM
Date of Passing: Dec 01, 2019
Offer Condolences or Memory Make a donation to CancerCare Manitoba Foundation
YVONNE MAE GRAHAM
1934 - 2019
She will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Don, of 62 years; their children, Diana (Greg), Susan and Janice, and beloved grandchildren, Bethany, Ben, Danielle (Jon), Tara, Brady, and Sonya. She was also fortunate to have three wonderful great- grandchildren, Zev, Stella and Ivy. She will be sadly missed by her brothers and sisters, Joan, Jim (Lorna), Lois, George (Denise), Jeanette (Jack), Heather (Jon) and Ferg (Donelda).
Being of good health, filled with love and kindness and being true to yourself are gifts she wishes for all of her family's futures. Where there is life, there is hope….
As the eldest of eight, Yvonne grew up pretty fast and was a big help to her parents. Being raised on the Whyte family farm brought many responsibilities and many happy times too with all of the sharing and caring that happen with large families. She moved to Winnipeg after finishing high school and took a secretarial course at Success College. She worked at the Manitoba Department of Education and enjoyed her independence in the big city.
Yvonne and Don met in Brookdale at a dance in fall of 1956. While Don travelled that winter and worked in the United States, he soon realized that he missed that certain young lady and they married on October 26, 1957 on a clear cold sunny day. They had just finished harvesting which in itself made it a happy day.
Yvonne had many important roles in her life. First and foremost, as Don's partner on the farm and all of the responsibilities that it entailed. She was an accomplished cook and baker, seamstress (remember those amazing Centennial dresses that she sewed for herself and the girls!) and loved to garden. She sometimes referred to gardening as her sanity blanket and spent many hours making sure she had a well-kept yard and vegetable garden. Yvonne won several awards both locally and provincially for the beautiful farm grounds. She was also at home driving the combine and the three-ton grain truck.
Yvonne taught Sunday school at the Newdale United Church and was a leader in 4H for many years. For 15 years, she was the organist at church and sang in the choir. Birtle Presbytery was also a focus for her, organizing and formulating church policy. She learned her bookkeeping skills when working at Waddell Motors and kept the farm books in impeccable shape. Yvonne even learned to fly an airplane!!!
Dancing to live bands, line dancing and clogging were favourite activities and in her retirement years, yoga and shuffleboard competitions became an important part of her life at their winter home in Florida where she spent over 25 years making new friends and meeting her Sista' Bev.
Yvonne and Don spent 18 years in Brandon where they enjoyed a new life once they sold the farm. Their travels took them to Italy, Scotland, and Ireland, most of the states in the United States and across Canada. They thought that would be the last move but the grandchildren came calling and wanted them to move to Winnipeg. So once again, they started anew and did what they do best, love and care for one another, make new friends and spend time with family.
A memorial service will be held at Westworth United Church, 1750 Grosvenor Avenue, Winnipeg, MB on Saturday, December 7 at 2:00 p.m.
Special thanks to the Palliative Care Unit at Riverview Health Centre.
Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family by visiting www.cropo.com
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Yvonne's memory to CancerCare Manitoba.
"And may we strive to touch and know the great human heart calling to us all and
Oh Lord God let us not to forget to be kind"
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 04, 2019
Condolences & Memories (15 entries)
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My deepest condolences to you and all of your families. Yvonne was such a wonderful woman when I knew her growing up. She will be sorely missed by all of you. - Posted by: Marg (Martin) Waddell (Friend) on: Dec 10, 2019
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Don, Diana, Susan, Janice - My condolences to you and your families. Yvonne was always a warm, welcoming, elegant lady. I greatly admired her ability to be so stylish whether attending a meeting or coming in from a day on the combine. When I find myself in ripped jeans and stained t-shirts I frequently think of her and remind myself I can do better. My thoughts are with you at this difficult time. Love Tammy - Posted by: Tammy Bekeris (Friend) on: Dec 07, 2019
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My deepest sympathy to Don, Diana, Susan, Janice and families in the loss of your wife and mom. Such a kind, caring, and gentle woman – I know she will be deeply missed. I have such wonderful memories of time spent with all of you. Lots of weekends together during our school years and of course my trip to Florida with your family, and don’t forget all those buckets of peas to be shelled. Please know my thoughts are with you during this most difficult time and may you have moments of peace and memories of joy in the coming days. - Posted by: Daphne (Morris) Hammond (Friend) on: Dec 06, 2019
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Don and family Our paths would cross periodically in Wellwood and Brandon and at brother Ferg’s farm near Carberry. It was always an enjoyable experience whenever I had a chance for a visit with both Don and Yvonne. On one occasion at Ferg’s, I think "the Turner boys" may have kept them awake late into the night with some "campfire songs" as they tried to sleep nearby in their motor home? I will always remember Yvonne as an intelligent, compassionate "woman of class" who possessed a great sense of humour. My sincere condolences. - Posted by: Bill Turner (Welldonian) on: Dec 05, 2019
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My heart felt condolences to the family, in the loss of your beautiful Wife, Mother & Grandmother. Yvonne was a very gracious, soft spoken, kind & generous soul. I cherish deeply a very beautiful memory of a special time with this lady! May the family members left behind be comforted in their time of loss of loved one and embrace fully the memory of an exemplary life fully lived out in great love! Brenda Gayle (Dmytar) - Posted by: Brenda Gayle (Dmytar) (Friend of family) on: Dec 05, 2019
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My deepest condolences to the Graham family - Posted by: Deb kittner (Friend) on: Dec 04, 2019
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Very sorry for your loss. I remember the Centennial dresses and a very kind hearted women. - Posted by: Brenda Salyn (Gerrard) (Friend of daughters ) on: Dec 04, 2019
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Please accept our sincere sympathy. We loved Yvonne and will cherish the memories of time spent with her and with Don. Our thoughts are with all of you. - Posted by: Kim and Terry Wozniak (Friend) on: Dec 04, 2019
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I would like to extend my heartfelt sympathy to Don and all the Graham family members. I have many fond memories of this lovely kind lady. May the memories of all the good times you shared together help you through this tough time. Love Bev - Posted by: Bev Irwin (Friend) on: Dec 04, 2019
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I would like to extend my heartfelt sympathy to Don and all the Graham family members. I have many fond memories of this lovely kind lady. May the memories of all the good times you shared together help you through this tough time. Love Bev - Posted by: Bev Irwin (Friend) on: Dec 04, 2019
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Our sincere condolences to Don and family. Don and Yvonne were great neighbours to Mom and Dad at The Parkway. - Posted by: The Stephenson’s (Friends) on: Dec 04, 2019
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So sorry to hear of Yvonne’s passing. Warmest wishes and condolences. Sandy Houtstra - Posted by: Sandy Houtstra (Cousin) on: Dec 04, 2019
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My sincere sympathy to you all, Yvonne will surely be missed by many. Such a wonderful woman! - Posted by: Shelley Glenn (Friend and former neighbor ) on: Dec 04, 2019
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Extending our heartfelt sympathy and sadness to the Graham family on the passing of Yvonne M. Graham. Yvonne supported the HSC Foundation for 10 years and will be missed, Thank you for sharing this wonderful tribute of a life committed to her family and community. Thinking of you all at the very sad and difficult time. Staff & Friends at the Health Sciences Centre Foundation - Posted by: Lynda Ruban (staff at Health Sciences Centre Foundation) on: Dec 04, 2019
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May the lord give you the strength to go through this hard situation. My deepest condolence is with the family on the loss of your Mom. - Posted by: John Cox (Friend of Janice) on: Dec 04, 2019
