On December 8, 2016, in her 80th year, Yvonne Catherine Benwell climbed the stairway to heaven. She is survived by her husband Gerry as well as many members of her large family.
Yvonne came to the Soo area in 1958 having moved here from downtown Toronto. She along with her husband Gerry raised their family in Goulais River, which she grew to love. But it wasn’t always that way. No street cars, no street lights, and the nearest phone a couple of miles away…what was this place at the end of the highway!! Her faith was always very important to her and as a practicing Catholic she had 8 children. She was a devoted mother and the center of family life. In addition to raising their children with her husband Gerry, they also opened their door to a number of other children who lived in their home for various periods of time. While being a proud wife and mother to her family, Yvonne additionally was proud to have worked as a labourer at Algoma Steel and later in life returned to school and earned her B.S.W. She worked both as a social worker at the Crisis Unit and then Group Health Centre. Yvonne was the loving mother of John (Daniella) of Harrow, Ontario, Cherrisse (Steve), of Fenton, MI; Joe (Sue) of Geraldton; Janine of Sault Ste Marie; Sydney (Michelle) of Goulais River; Chris (Celina) of Wawa; Michael (Cathy) of Manitoulin Island and Pamela Rees of Sault Ste. Marie. Loving Nanny of James (Jen) of Thunder Bay, Christina (Derek) of Harrow, Kyle of London, David of Toronto, Jessie of Geraldton, Barbara Sue (Ray) of Thunder Bay, Jennifer (Bob), C.J. (Emily), Christopher, Matthew (Alyssa), Hailey, Christopher, Tianna (Ryan)- all of Sault Ste Marie; Corey of Hamilton, Tyson (Tegan) of Edmonton, and Garrett (Kelli) of Fenton. Great Nanny of Cole, Madison, Gracie, Ami, Elkin, Esper, Cloe, Aubrey, Blake, Leah, Skye, Brooklyn, Gabriel, Roman, Ava, Jace, Brooklyn, and Kian. Sister of Marie, George, Allan and Kenny, Step sister of Carol, Dorthy Edward, (Fred), Tommy. Loving aunt to many nieces and nephews. Yvonne was preceded in death by her son, Joe, her daughter Jane Marie, her parents: Catherine and George; her sister Vi, Step mother, Winnie, and Step brother Robert. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Mother of God Church, The Canadian Cancer Society or a charity of your choice would be appreciated. A Memorial mass will to be held on Saturday December 10, 2016 at 1 pm at Mother of God Church, 303 Old Hwy 17, Goulais River, ON P0S 1E0. Family will later gather for a Celebration of Life at Janine’s home. Arrangements entrusted to O’Sullivan Funeral Home and Cremation Centre, 215 St. James St, 705-759-8456. Expressions of sympathy and condolences available on-line at; www.osullivanfuneralhome.com