Obituary of Yvonne Doris Jones

September 19, 1932 – Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan

April 4, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

After decades of persevering in the face of many challenges, Yvonne passed away peacefully in Calgary, AB, on Thursday, April 4, 2024, surrounded by family who loved her deeply. We knew she was tired, but we were hoping she would rally and return home, as she had several times before.

Yvonne was born on September 19, 1932, in Moose Jaw, SK. She eventually ended up in Saskatoon, SK, with her parents, Beulah and Ernest Cannon, and her dear sister, Elaine, who predeceased her in 2011. Yvonne was also predeceased by her husband, Mel Jones, in 1999, after 46 years of marriage.

An athlete in high school, Yvonne loved tennis and skating. Indeed, it was while skating with good friends at a rink in Saskatoon, that she spotted Mel and fell in love. They married in 1953, Yvonne in blue velvet, in honour of the Queen’s Coronation that same year. Soon after, polio struck, paralyzing her right arm and shoulder, and changing her life dramatically. Instead of bitterness, she recounted how she narrowly missed being placed in an iron lung. “I’m so fortunate,” she said, a phrase she repeated often until her death. We still wonder how she managed to diaper her kids, born a few years later, using cloth diapers and safety pins, claiming she never stabbed either.

Yvonne and Mel had many friends in Saskatoon, most of whom stayed in touch, even after their move to Calgary in 1975. The two apparently thought nothing of driving back across the prairies to play bridge with their old friends. Prior to leaving Saskatoon, Yvonne completed the Welfare Worker Program in 1971, and while she never worked in the field, it was consistent with her caring, genuine approach to life and people. In Calgary, Mom helped Mel take over a mechanical contracting business, acting as VP and secretary.

Aside from her biggest passion, her family, Mom enjoyed travelling, keeping up with current events, sharing good food and challenging anyone to a game of Scrabble. She was intelligent, kind, resilient, non-judgmental, and had a great sense of humour. She was interested in the world around her and everyone in it. The last few years saw a decline in her memory, sight, and hearing, but she never stopped saying please and thank you, and being grateful for what she had. We will miss sitting with her at the kitchen table, watching the birds (and squirrels) come to her feeders.

Yvonne cherished her two kids, Bob and Wendy; repeatedly reminding them that she had “made them”. She also loved the extended family, including their respective spouses, Kristie and Ron; and her grandkids, Charlotte, Parker, Jackson, Marshall, Bronwyn, and Aiden. She rejoiced in seeing them all together. She also loved those who went before her: her dedicated parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and a nephew. We take solace in knowing that she is united with her sister, Elaine Pettigrew, whom she sorely missed.

We are grateful for the care and attention provided by the many specialists at AHS, her loyal caregivers, housekeeper, and hairdresser, who helped ensure she stayed in her own home. She was also lucky to have loving neighbours who looked out for her.

Mom often recounted how we learned to hang onto her as babies since she had use of only one arm. We are still hanging on Mom, to the special memories of you and all the love you gave. How fortunate we were to have you as our mother. We miss you.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Inurnment will take place in Saskatoon.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Yvonne’s family here.

In living memory of Yvonne Jones, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.