Yvonne Canaan

Yvonne Tewfik Canaan was born in Cairo, Egypt to Tewfik Canaan of Lebanese descent and Eugenia d’Esposito originally from Italy. Yvonne, lovingly referred to as Yva, was raised in the Catholic faith, a humble and devout student at the Lycée Français in Cairo, Egypt where she excelled until the age of 14. At that young age, her mother sustained an injury that prompted her father to pull her out of school and call upon her to assist with the household chores being she was an only sister among five brothers.

In 1946, Yva’s life was shattered by the untimely death of her eldest brother, Maurice. During her time of grief, her cousin Saïd traveled from Sudan to Egypt to pay his respects. From there began their courtship. After obtaining special papal dispensation they were married in 1947 in Cairo then moved to Khartoum, Sudan.

From 1947 to 1986 Yva lived in Sudan with her beloved husband raising three children and struggling alongside Saïd supporting his every business venture and international travels. Living in Sudan she overcame many challenges surviving turbulent political times. Saïd always credited his success to his beloved wife Yva. His business partners and colleagues recognized her diplomacy, wisdom, and finesse as by far surpassing others’ more advanced education. Despite many adversities, Yva’s faith never faltered and she dedicated her life not only to serving family but also serving the church and community at large. She was recognized for her service, kindness and generosity towards the Comboni Missionaries as well as the orphanage of Mother Teresa’s Sisters of Charity in Khartoum, Sudan.

In 1986, upon Saïd’s retirement, Yva and Saïd immigrated to Canada to join their elder daughter Mona. They dedicated the succeeding 30 years to helping raise their grandchildren splitting their time travelling back and forth between Canada and USA where their other two children resided. Yva was forever young at heart and she maintained her fun and loving playful spirit until her final breath.

Yva was preceded in death by her beloved husband Saïd (2010) and is survived by her children: Mona, Joseph and Eugenia (Farid Hallak); grandchildren Fredéric Desharnais, Emmanuel Canaan (Kelly) and Selim Stamboulieh (Rani Bondhus) as well as their great-grandchildren Gabriel and Evan Canaan, Kaden, Kyler and Soraya Stamboulieh.

May the memory of Yvonne (Yva) Tewfik Canaan remain eternal and may she continue to inspire our thoughts and actions.