Obituary Overview
Yvonne Margaret Kirbyson
Margaret Yvonne Kirbyson
It is with profound sadness that the family announces the passing of our beloved Yvonne at the St. Boniface Hospital on Tuesday, July 3, 2018.
Born in Winnipeg on November 29, 1942, Yvonne was the eldest of Thomas and Fabiola (Lafrenière) Grafton’s nine children. She leaves to mourn her loving husband of 55 years, Wayne Kirbyson, their precious daughter Susan and husband Jeff Stephen and cherished granddaughter Claire, the light of Yvonne’s life. Grieving her loss are her siblings, Wayne Grafton (Jonine), Robert Grafton (Joy), Murray Grafton (Jessica), Neil Grafton, Judith Doyle (Paul), Mary Robertson (Bayne), John Grafton, Janet McCaffrey (Blayne) and their families. Also mourning her are brother-in-law Ronald Kirbyson (Dawn) and sisters-in-law Jean McClelland (Jim) and Joann Kirbyson and their families. She leaves behind her Aunts Jeannette Rheault and Evelyne Lafrenière of Somerset, Manitoba and many Grafton, Kirbyson and Lafrenière cousins. Yvonne was blessed with many friendships in her life, especially Gail Gowanlock, Rosemary Congdon, and Brian Gibson.
Yvonne spent most of her life in Winnipeg. She was passionate about education, a true lifelong learner. She graduated with her B.A. and M.A. from the University of Manitoba and taught Français for many years in The Fort Garry School Division, retiring from Vincent Massey Collegiate. Yvonne nurtured and fostered a love of learning within her students and showed care and compassion to her students and colleagues. Her wonderful sense of humour was treasured by all who knew her. She was an accomplished writer, and collector of stamps and coins.
On June 29, 1963, Yvonne and Wayne were married in Winnipeg. Yvonne had studied and lived abroad with her husband in their early years of marriage. While living in Paris, France, she studied at l’Université de la Sorbonne. Wayne and Yvonne lived in Montréal, Québec upon their return to Canada in 1968, where Yvonne worked as a translator and also taught Français at The Hebrew Academy of Montréal. They returned to Winnipeg to be closer to family shortly after their beloved daughter Susan was born. Family was everything to Yvonne. She was a devoted spouse, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin and friend. Yvonne will be sorely missed by all those whose lives she touched and enriched.
Yvonne’s life will be celebrated at a Come and Go Luncheon on Friday, July 13, 2018 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Desjardins Funeral Chapel, 357 Des Meurons Street, Winnipeg. A private internment will take place at a later time.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff at St. Boniface Hospital for the care and love Yvonne received during her stay.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Yvonne Margaret Kirbyson 2018.source
Décès pour la Ville: Winnipeg, Province: Manitoba
