Eunice Yvonne Chorvat

Yvonne was born September 29, 1949, in Brooksville, Florida to Nelson ‘Red’ and Lily Brass. Yvonne was married to Douglas Allen Chorvat Sr. on June 3rd, 1967, until August 15th, 1990.

Yvonne was born and raised in beautiful Brooksville, Florida. Yvonne attended Hernando High School and was married upon her graduation in 1967. She studied business while at Hernando High School, and upon graduation found it difficult to find a job. Her older sister, Susie, talked to her about being a mermaid with her at Weeki Wachee Springs and Yvonne did so that summer. She was a mermaid from 1967 until 1971, until she became pregnant with their daughter, Kathy. After the birth of Kathy, she would on occasion work at the Springs as a mermaid until she became pregnant with their son, Doug Jr. Some of Yvonne’s highlights included being in several magazines for Clairol, a commercial for Clairol, and being selected for Mermaid of the Year in 1970. After Doug Jr. was born, Yvonne was a happy housewife for several years. Upon returning to the work force in 1989, she had a brief stay with the Department of Motor Vehicles and then went on to work for Florida Mining and Materials (later Southdown, Inc, then Cemex) in areas such as accounts receivables, accounts payables, and other miscellaneous administrative positions. During this time, she actively enjoyed running and going along with the local Audubon Society, taking in the beauty of Hernando County.

She retired in 2004 to care for her parents, Red and Lily. Upon the passing of Red in 2004 and Lily one year and a day later in 2005, she took on her most favorite duty of all: Being the best Mema to Zack, Austyn, Makenna, and Conner.

Yvonne is preceded in death by her father, Nelson ‘Red’ Bowser Brass; her mother, Lily Zoe (Conner) Brass; and beloved nephew, Michael Shannon Spencer. She is survived by her daughter, Kathy Chorvat; her son, Doug Chorvat Jr. (Malinda); her grandchildren, Zack Cooper (Kandace) and Austyn Cooper, Makenna Chorvat, and Conner Chorvat; and her great-grandchildren, Dolleia and Dean Cooper. She is also survived by her sister, Anita ‘Susie’ Sanchez and brother, Nelson ‘Buddy’ Brass (Patsy).

A Memorial Gathering for family and friends will be held from 2:00-3:30pm, Saturday, July 19, 2025 at Merritt Funeral Home Brooksville (2 South Lemon Avenue, Brooksville, FL 34601), where Services begin at 3:30pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to the Aripeka Baptist Church for Aripeka Cemetery maintenance OR the Destination Mermaids – The Mermaid Tale Trail for a mermaid to be purchased and placed in honor of Yvonne at a later date.