Yvonne Marie Simpson

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Yvonne Simpson in Calgary, Alberta, on November 2, 2025, at the age of 97 years, twenty eight days shy of her 98th birthday.

Yvonne was born on November 30, 1927, in the community of Big River, Saskatchewan. The family lived on a farm outside of Big River, where Yvonne attended school until approximately grade 8. After her schooling, Yvonne lived with a family and cared for the sick wife, helping around the house, and caring for the children.

As a young woman, Yvonne loved to dance. She met Dad (Victor Simpson) at a local dance in 1945 in the community of Bodmin, Saskatchewan. While they were engaged, Victor moved out to Coquitlam, B.C. Yvonne’s sister, Marie, was also living in Coquitlam at the time. She moved out to British Columbia to work as a nanny and to be closer to Victor. Yvonne developed TB and returned to Saskatchewan for a lengthy treatment. She told Victor to move on with his life, however, Victor insisted he would wait for her. Yvonne recovered from TB by 1951. Upon Yvonne's recovery, they were married on September 27, 1951.

Yvonne and Victor lived and worked for several years throughout Saskatchewan. One of their moves was to Flin Flon, Manitoba, where Victor worked in the mines and Yvonne worked in a café. They moved back to B.C. in the 1950s, living in various locations and permanently settled in Forest Grove, B.C. Yvonne and Victor raised five children. Upon Victor’s passing in 1975, Yvonne eventually moved to 100 Mile House, B.C., until she moved to Calgary in 2017 due to the wildfires around the area.

Yvonne loved to dance. Victor and Yvonne rarely missed Saturday night dancing at the local legion. With her love of dance, Yvonne joined a square dance group. She travelled to many jamborees throughout B.C. and Canada, as far as the East Coast. Along with her dancing, she loved old-time country western music. This love of music took her on travels to Graceland, the Grand Ole Opry, and various country music festivals. She also travelled to Mexico, Disneyland, Disneyworld, New Orleans, Branson, the East Coast, and cruised the Caribbean and Alaska.

Yvonne was highly active in the Women’s Institute of Canada and a long-time member of the C.W.L. at the St. Jude Catholic Church in 100 Mile House, B.C. Her close-knit group of friends spent countless hours making quilts for raffles and raising money for charitable organizations.

Yvonne is survived by daughter Vivian and her husband Al, grandchildren Michael, Michelle, great-grandchildren Quintin, Kiya, Chaz, Dane; son Roger and his wife Louise, grandchildren Michelle (Glen), Pam (Greg), Conrad (Letelle), great-grandchildren Ella; daughter Cheryl and her husband Denis, grandchildren Nicole (Eric), Kenny (Kayla), great-grandchildren William, Zachery, Julianna; son Darrell and his wife Monica, grandchildren Ethan and Kali; daughter Sandra and her husband Scott; brother Ed Caissie; sister Marie Lamothe; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Yvonne was predeceased by her husband, Victor; her parents, Joseph and Bibianne Caissie; her siblings Orias Richard and Norman Caissie, Exelda (Fred) Emde; her sister Therese (Napoleon); brother-in-law Emile Lamothe; and sister-in-law Dora Caissie.

The family would like to express a special thank you to the staff at St. Teresa Place for their special care and attention for our mom for the past eight years. Our heartfelt thanks and gratitude for all the extra care and support from the “A-Team” staff as our mom’s health declined over the past month. Our sincerest thanks to Mom’s friend, Nady. She provided the extra companionship/friendship for our mother when we could not be there.

Yvonne’s arrangements are entrusted to Pierson’s Funeral Service, 4121 - 17 Avenue S.E., Calgary. A short family service has been held prior to cremation. The family will hold a “Celebration of Life” in the spring/summer of 2026 at St. Jude Catholic Church, 100 Mile House, B.C. Interment will take place at the Forest Grove Cemetery. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Yvonne's memory to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, www.heartandstroke.ca

Mom, may you rest in Peace. May you live on in our hearts, knowing you are dancing and singing with Dad to your favorite country music.