Yvonne Halley

November 21, 1921 – January 25, 2017

After a long and adventurous life Yvonne Blain Halley passed away peacefully on January 25, 2017 at the age of 95. Although she spent the last six years of her life at Pinecrest Home for the Aged the previous eight decades were spent living where she was most happy, in the remote regions of northwestern Ontario from Kenora to Caribou Falls.

She is survived by her sister Maria Weinmeier, her children Anna Zurkan, Eugene (Wanda), Donna Halley and her daughter-in-law Sharon Halley. Also very much missed by her grandchildren Coreena (Dan) Zurkan, Audie (Marg) Zurkan, Todd (Sandra) Zurkan, Dale Zurkan, Sherri (Dave) Zroback, Chris (Amber) Halley, Rob (Bev) Halley, Kate (Shane) Poncelet and Faye Martin. Her great grandchildren that loved her and will miss her – Blaine and Owen Zurkan, Chelsea Zurkan; Vienna and Nathan Zurkan; Cody Zurkan; also Janis and Samantha Zroback, Chase (Briana) Halley, Louis, Jonny and Reagan Halley, Sarah Derouard and Seth Halley and Lily Poncelet, Brianna, Zack and Alex Martin and Jessica; also many relatives in Alberta.

She was predeceased by her husband Louis, her son George, her son-in-law John Zurkan, her granddaughter Susan Halley, her son-in-law Al Bennet and her grandson-in-law Art Martin.

Yvonne was born in St. Paul, Alberta. She met Louis in Bonnyville, Alberta and this is where they would start their family together. In 1946, after Louis was finished with his service in World War II, they moved their young family to Black Sturgeon Lake near Kenora, Ontario. This is where they built a couple of small cabins to take care of fishermen and started what would become a lifetime in the tourism industry. During the ensuing years they would move their family several times to different locations from Tetu Lake to Fletcher Lake and finally settling at Caribou Falls in the 70’s where Yvonne would spend the next 40 years.

During her lifetime Yvonne tried her hand at many things including logging with Louis, cooking for guests, trapping and being a licensed fur buyer, building cabins and boats, upholstering furniture for the camp, knitting socks and mitts, reading and always starting the plants in the spring for her garden. She had an endless supply of stories and would beat you at cribbage while telling them.

As per Yvonne’s wishes cremation has taken place. There will be an open house in celebration of her life at Brown’s funeral home in Kenora on Saturday, January 28, 2017 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Please join us for coffee, tea and dainties and bring your best stories to share. The family is asking for no flowers but if you wish, donations to the MS Society would be appreciated.

Online condolences may be made at www.brownfuneralhomekenora.com

BROWN FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTRE ENTRUSTED WITH ARRANGEMENTS.