Yvonna Swart Bardwell

Yvonna Swart Bardwell was born September 11, 1969 in Seattle WA to Don and Terri Swart. She passed away Monday, May 9th 2011 after a courageous battle with cancer. Yvonna spent her life in the Yakima area, graduating from Davis High School in 1987, and earning her AA degree in Criminal Justice from Yakima Valley Community College.

One of the things that mattered most to Yvonna was family. Yvonna married Tim Bardwell on December 5, 1992. Their daughter, Samantha, was born December 14, 1993 followed by their daughter Emily born October 12, 1996 and their son, Reid, born September 28, 1998. Yvonna loved her family with a fierce and open devotion, and encouraged them to share and show their individuality without reservation.

Her parents, Don and Terri Swart, always supported her in her decisions and let her learn life’s lessons with love and care. Greg, her brother, was her best friend and confidant as they shared each other’s successes and challenges and lent each other encouragement and support.

Yvonna worked at the Yakima Police Department for several years. She was a reserve police officer for 7 years, attaining the rank of Sergeant. She initially wanted to make a career of law enforcement, but after her first child was born, her focus became her family and she was able to be an at home mom for 14 years. Once her kids began school she was very involved with their schools, so much so that she became a part time employee in the East Valley school district and was able to follow her kids through their school life. Most recently, Yvonna was the librarian at East Valley High School.

Yvonna never passed up a new experience. She had the opportunity to chaperone Samantha’s high school trip to Europe, meeting many new friends along the way. She and her mom shared a special cruise to Alaska, forging many special memories. She spent many summers with her family camping and enjoying various running events, all the while perfecting her already perfect cooking and enjoying a good glass of wine. Some of her fondest memories include her trips to Oregon to spend time with her good friend and soul sister Yolanda Olsen, her family, and her parents Duane and Terry Goodell.

The following family members are left to cherish her memory: her loving husband of 18 years, Tim; her children Samantha, Emily, and Reid; parents Don and Terri Swart; brother Greg (Janis) Swart; grandparents Myrl Sanders, and Garland and Peggy Swart; and many loving nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and in-laws.

In addition, Yvonna leaves behind many beloved friends who were blessed with her stunning smile, mischievous sense of humor, and zest for life and all that it offered.

She was preceded in death by her grandmother, Mary Sanders, and her cousin, Kristi Moen-Dale

Yvonna would remind each of us to live life to the fullest by dancing as if no one were looking.

A celebration of her life will take place on Sunday, May 15, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. at East Valley Elementary School, 1951 Beaudry Rd. For an online guest book and to celebrate the life of Yvonna visit www.keithandkeith.com.