YOLANDE MARGUERITE HIEBERT (SICOTTE)

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YOLANDE MARGUERITE HIEBERT (nee SICOTTE) In Nanaimo, British Columbia on December 1, 2014, Yolande Marguerite Hiebert passed away at the age of 89 years. A memorial tea was held in Yolande's honour at the First Memorial Funeral Services in Nanaimo on Saturday, December 6. Yolande leaves behind three sons, Reg (Debbie), Brian (Julia) and Ron (Melanie) and their families. As well, many relatives, including special niece Evangeline who became her main caregiver over the past three years. The family is very grateful to Evangeline for the compassion and care she gave their Mom. Staff at Origins must also be mentioned. As Yolande put it "the girls here have been very good to me." We also are thankful to eldest granddaughter Carmen, who immediately flew to be with her grandma. Knowing how ill her grandma was, she spent a week with her until sons, Reg and Ron could arrive. Yolande will be fondly remembered for her fabulous home cooked Sunday suppers. Everything in Yolande's kitchen was made from scratch, including delicious Angle food cakes. She had a flair for perogies made in the Mennonite fashion. And her special pancakes on Saturday mornings will never be forgotten. Being in her kitchen made Yolande happy but happier still was her family who got to feast on all the good food made by her. Warm woolen sweaters knitted for each member of her family, and still being worn by some, are now cherished keepsakes. And, as we sit down over the Christmas holidays, beautifully hand embroidered table cloths also made by Yolande will be used on our dining room tables. Her memories will be with us and kept alive through the gifts she gave us. Yolande loved her granddaughters and favourite endearment to them was to call them "mon chou". How often we heard that as she sat and cuddled with a little girl on her lap. This was also a phrase she saved for another passion in her life, her love for puppies, kittens, cats and dogs. Cricket, a little black pug, was Yolande's much loved companion. Yolande lost her little friend in April of this year and she was heartbroken over her loss. Yolande treated all animals with kindness. This year, Yolande's first and only grandson was born to Melanie and Ron and without a doubt, meeting Jacob was the highlight of her last year of life. Yolande always said good bye with a big hug, a wish for good luck and the advice "and don't take any wooden nickels from anyone." In the Spring when the weather is warm and the grass is once again green, we will Yolande's ashes to rest alongside her husband Peter. The Celebration of Life will take place at the Hiebert Family Cemetery near Niverville, Manitoba at a date to be announced later.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 20, 2014