Yvonne Lee Thurston

Yvonne was predeceased in death by John Schafer (Life Partner & rekindled love), Vickie Stanley (Niece), Patricia McBerry (Sister), Roy (Father) and Delores (Mother) Unger.

Yvonne is survived by Todd (Son) and Candy Thurston (Daughter In law), Vonnie Lynn Mitchell (Niece), Samantha Meenaghan (Granddaughter), Steven Meenaghan (Grandson), Cassandra Meenaghan (Granddaughter), Jarrad Stanley (Great Nephew), Joshua Stanley (Great Nephew), Nicole McFadden (Great Niece), Ryan Mitchell (Great Nephew).

Yvonne was born in Akron, Ohio to Roy and Delores Unger on May 4, 1945. She graduated from College with her Nursing Degree and worked in many different areas of Nursing, like the infant surgical floor as a scrub nurse, ER Nurse, and lastly Home Health Care at Hacienda Home Health.

She raised her son in Akron, Ohio and Wellington, Florida. Yvonne lived her life helping others and ensuring everyone was cared for. She was a red head, with all the greatest qualities - fiery in her beliefs and compassionate in hard times. Yvonne was dedicated to her family and her fur-pets. She rekindled a love with John Schafer. Yvonne spent the last 15 years of her career in Phoenix, Arizona. She served the community and ensured her patients were cared for and treated like family. Yvonne loved hard and lived a life full of laughter and love.

Yvonne retired in 2020 and moved to North Carolina with her son and her daughter-in-law. After two years, Yvonne returned to Ohio and spent 6-months with her niece Vonnie Lynn. In the beginning of 2023 Yvonne moved to Jacksonville, Florida to live with her Granddaughter, Samantha Meenaghan. She spent her days making new friends, visiting the beach, trying new activities and playing with the puppies in the home. Yvonne never knew how to stand still, but always knew her world was bigger. She knew things always needed to get done, and she wanted to be the one that helped, or the one that completed it. She enjoyed wine, beer and all adventures with food, but excluded corn, gluten and dairy of course!

In Yvonne’s last few months, she wrestled with Terminal Restlessness. But I will tell you this, she gave that diagnosis a run for its money. Her strength and determination to make sure everything was taken care of was inspiring and breathtaking. She was the most beautiful soul ever, even at the end. She was never defined by one attribute. She was the peanut butter to my (Samantha) jelly. A Best friend, the light in the darkness. Her laughter and love will be with us always.

The Celebration of life will occur in the Spring to adhere to her love of the outdoors and start of the warm season in Ohio.

Please feel free to reach out to Samantha Meenaghan at [email protected] for more details and please upload any memories, photos and stories of Yvonne here.