Yvonne Eckel

ECKEL, Yvonne (nee Corbet) - January 3, 1932 – January 15, 2017- Passed away peacefully at VON Sakura House in Woodstock, ON. Beloved wife of Doug Eckel for over 60 years. Loving mother of Bryan (Deb) Eckel, Suzanne (John) Conroy, Tracie (Michael) Ward and Lance (Cristen) Eckel. Dear grandmother of Stephanie (Nick), Talia (Matt), and Reed Eckel, Christian (Rachel) and Corbet Conroy, Connor and Emily Ward, Julia and Nathan Eckel. Beloved sister-in-law of Phillis Eckel (Toronto), cousins David (Pat) Farmer and Shirley Wald (Spain), Desmond (Sheila) Hughes (England), Alan Corbet (New Zealand), Sharon (Ken) Smith (Woodstock), David (Peggy) Kennedy (Orillia). Wonderful aunt for many beloved nephews and nieces in Hamilton, Ottawa, Toronto and Waterloo. Yvonne was born in Khanewal, India (now Pakistan) and was the only child of her devoted parents Claire Joyce and Shirley Lancelot Corbet (both predeceased). In her childhood, she spoke both Urdu and English and attended the Jesus and Mary Convent boarding school in Shimla in the Himalayas. Yvonne grew up surrounded by a large extended family of many aunts, uncles and cousins. One of her cousins in India was the internationally famous author, conservationist and sportsman, Jim (James) Corbett. He was the well-known man-eating tiger hunter in whose honour the country named The Corbett National Park in northern India in 1957. Yvonne’s original ancestors came to India from Portugal (mother's side) and Britain (father's side). In 1950, Yvonne and a large part of her family immigrated to England following India’s Independence. While in England she worked as a secretary for the Royal Marines during the time of Queen Elizabeth’s coronation. In 1954, Yvonne emigrated from England to Hamilton, Ontario where she met her husband Doug. They were married on May 5, 1956 and lived in Toronto for five years where two of their three eldest children were born. In 1961 they moved to Woodstock where their fourth child was born. Yvonne devoted herself to raising her four children and creating a happy home life. As a Nana to nine grandchildren, she was ever present in their lives and cherished every occasion with her family. Yvonne was a member of the Woodstock Figure Skating Club and the Jaycettes. She generously gave her time to serve as President of the G. R. Green IODE Chapter and the Chair of the Friends of the Woodstock Art Gallery. Yvonne also supported her husband’s many community service activities. Yvonne’s other interests included travelling around the world with her husband, her love of the arts, theatre and music. For several decades she vacationed each summer at Geneva Park on the shores of Lake Couchiching. Many friends enriched Yvonne’s life especially in her later years. Yvonne will be remembered for her devotion to four children and nine grandchildren. She lit up a room wherever she went with her smile, her grace, kindness and wonderful disposition. Yvonne will be dearly missed. Cremation has taken place and a celebration of Yvonne’s life will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, February 6th, 2017 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 1420 Devonshire Avenue, Woodstock, ON N4S 7V9. A visitation with family members will precede the service from 10:00 am to 10:45 am. If desired, memorial contributions can be made to the Oxford Community Foundation – George Cultural Fund, Canadian Cancer Society, VON Sakura House or the charity of your choice. Most can be made through the Brock and Visser Funeral Home, 845 Devonshire Ave., Woodstock, ON, N4S 5Z4. (519-539-0004.) Personal online condolences can be left at www.brockandvisserfuneralhome.com