It is with much sadness that we announce the passing of our mother, Yvonne Harrington, just 119 days after my father’s passing. Mom passed away May 31, 2021, surrounded by her sister-in-law, Mary Parsons and good friends, Patricia and Mark Ball.
Mom was born Violet Yvonne Parsons of Glace Bay. She was born August 28, 1938, to Orestes and Elsie Parsons. Her brother, William and sisters, Gladys, Pearl, Elsie, Agnes, Thelma and Sophie were all waiting for her arrival at home. Mom was not the last as Eunice, Melvina, Frank and Joe all joined the household. I can only imagine how busy it was under that roof. Mom went to school at Central Colchester School in Glace Bay. In her later teen years, she went to join some of her siblings in Ontario.
June 14, 1957, mom delivered a beautiful little girl, Carol Ann, after her return to Cape Breton. She worked at the local orphanage with her sister, Eunice. It was through Eunice that she met Clarence, our father. They dated for a year and married December 7, 1958. They lived in a tiny trailer in my grandparent’s yard and I can still hear Dad’s giggle telling me of waking up the first morning. There had been a rain which iced over the trailer door. So they had to wait for someone to come and let the newlyweds out. They moved to the Prime Brook area for a few years then to Keltic Drive. March 9, 1963, after a long, long labor, mom gave birth to Thelma Marie.
Mom worked hard around the home, she was a very good cook and made the best pies. Her first sewing machine was a foot pedal Singer and all of our dresses were made on that machine. If mom wanted to do something, nothing stopped her from learning and she did it well. She would knit beautiful siwash sweaters with such difficult designs. She would sell them all but there was one she made for herself. She picked out the colours and an extra hard pattern. She had finished it Christmas Eve. But a knock came on our door and a very anxious man was in desperate need of one of mom’s sweaters. He had left it to the very last minute but he did have a gift for his girlfriend and we all had a good laugh. Mom never did make a new one for herself. She was a whiz with a crochet hook. Another craft she taught herself.
In the 1980’s, she became interested in obedience dog training. She excelled in that very quickly. She won first prize in most of the competitions in the Maritimes, Dad driving her and doggies all over the area. She had only golden retrievers and went into breeding her prize winning dogs. She went into training other people’s dogs and did some doggy sitting and grooming. She was often seen walking around the Westmount area with her little Yorkie, Jasper. In her free time, she would cross stitch very beautiful intricate pictures. One being a 16x 20 of her with her prize winning golden all stitched with a needle and thread. Soon quilting became her next skill. She again excelled at her quilts. They were works of art that were priceless. Mom loved spending time with her sisters, Christmas Eves spent singing with Uncle Allan and Cliff. Christmas Day spent with the whole family at my grandparents in Glace Bay.
Mom moved into Parkland Cape Breton in February after along hospitalization. Even though covid restricted the social programs, mom went to the Bingo games and exercises to try and fit it in and make new friends. My sister and I begged her to not win too often at Bingo, as that would put a damper on things. She had to think about that, the prices were such fun.
Mom is survived by her daughters, Carol (Donnie) Saunders and Thelma (Randy) Klaepatch; sisters, Eunice Ward and Melanie; brothers, Frank and Joe Parsons. Mom is also survived by her grandson, Jeffery Saunders and granddaughter, Meghan Saunders. She included Kris Mugridge and Kelsey Hutton as family, along with their children. Mom was blessed with seven great-grandchildren. She will be missed by many nieces, nephews and friends she made over the years.
Carol and I deeply appreciate the support given to mom by her siblings, friends from quilting and neighbours. Mom had a very special friendship with Trish, Mark and Eddie. To the staff at Parkland Cape Breton, much gratitude for the compassion you gave to mom. Thank you to the Sydney Memorial Chapel for their services.
Words of comfort can be sent to the family at www.sydneymemorialchapel.ca or e-mail sydneymemorialchapel@ns.sympatico.ca
2021
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Yvonne Harrington 2021..
Décès pour la Ville: Sydney, Province: Nova Scotia