Yvette Laventure (Nee: Richard) joined her parents and many siblings in the kingdom of Heaven on December 26th, 2024, at the age of 88. As she would’ve liked, she was surrounded by her family when she left this world.
Yvette was born in Lac La Biche, Alberta, as the 11th child of 12. As a young girl, Yvette loved running and the great outdoors, swimming at the lake, playing softball, picking blueberries and ice skating in the winter time. She enjoyed endless hours playing with her siblings, cousins and friends. Yvette lived in Fort McMurray with her family before a road existed, traveling in and out by train, and later moved back to Lac La Biche where the family had a dairy farm and bakery.
Following High School, Yvette completed the nursing program at the Edmonton General Hospital, graduating in 1958. After graduation, and with her sense of adventure, Yvette travelled with friends to Europe, hitchhiking through the British Isles and then driving across six countries over six months. Upon return, Yvette met Leo, the love of her life, while working as a Pediatric Nurse.
Leo and Yvette married on January 19th, 1963. She soon after became a mother of five children, working as a full-time parent and later becoming a grandparent to 14 grandchildren. She loved her family fiercely and unconditionally. Yvette returned to Nursing in 1982, finishing her career as a Home Care Coordinator, retiring in 1994.
Yvette was a devout catholic who loved God, family and friends, music, dancing, singing, playing cards and spending time with loved ones. She was competitive, loving sports and games, and never passed up an opportunity for a debate. She had an uncanny ability to remember numbers, dates, often reminding everyone of upcoming birthdays.
Yvette’s limitless love and infectious spirit touched the hearts of many. May her spirit live on in the many who love her.
Yvette Laventure will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 62 years, Leo Laventure; her children, Suzanne (Dwayne), Renée (Jeff), Joanne (Darren), Jocelyn (Mark), Louis (Tracey); her grandchildren, Shannon, Kaylee (Steve), Scott (Jayleen), Dylan, Carsyn (Isaac), James, Lucy (Aidan), Ben, Sydni (Russell), Alexi, Halli, Ethan, Marc, Kaylyn; her expectant great-grandchild; her sister, Marcelle; and numerous other family members and friends.
Yvette was predeceased by her parents; Louis and Lucy Richard, and siblings; Emile, Edgar, Alma, Estelle (Sr. Angele), Rita, Leo, Alcide, Dennis, Denise and Urban.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 13 Brower Drive, Sherwood Park. Interment followed at Our Lady of Peace Cemetery, 4814 Meridian St NW Edmonton.
The family would like to acknowledge and give special thanks to the Grey Nuns Hospital, Norwood Acute Care, Silverbirch Lodge, Devonshire Seniors, Continuing Care Staff, Connelly-McKinley Funeral Homes, Father Jim, and the many loving friends.
Memorial donations in Yvette’s name may be made to the Food Bank of your choice or, in the spirit of Yvette, in acts of kindness.
Arrangements entrusted to Connelly-McKinley Edmonton South.
