Victoria YAKEMISHIN

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YAKEMISHIN, Victoria Alice (Peary) January 28, 1946 – August 9, 2010. It is with great sadness that the family of Vicky Yakemishin announces her passing. Vicky succumbed to pneumonia in Dauphin General Hospital with daughter Canda, son in law Geoff, and sister Ethel at her side. She had been struggling with virulent cancer for the past six months. She was predeceased by her husband Bill in 1992. Vicky was born in Brandon General Hospital on January 28, 1946. She was aptly named after the victory of the Second World War. She was the youngest child of George and Irene Peary. Vicky is survived by her daughters Cherri (Ron) Lamont and Canda (Geoff) Chafe, grandchildren Dallas and Dustyn Lamont and Mitchell and Brookelyn Chafe as well as her sisters Joyce Brown (Toronto), Ethel Hean (Dauphin) and brother George Peary (Abbotsford.) and their families. Vicky epitomized service. She started her real life’s work as a counsellor at the Alcare Center in Ste. Rose Du Lac when she first moved to Dauphin in 1974. From that day onward there were very few social causes in the community that did not profit from Vicky’s unstinting support. As an addictions counsellor, she was instrumental in transforming lives. She received commendations from such organizations as the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, The Dauphin and District Labour Coordinating Committee and the Regional Health Authority. Vicky started her political career as a School Trustee in Dauphin Ochre River School Division. She completed nine years on the Board. During that time she was instrumental in launching a Peer Counselling Program that was emulated by other school jurisdictions across the province. She also developed and maintained the Student Match Program in Dauphin High School that paired seniors with incoming grade 8 students in an effort to ease the transition from elementary school for younger students. She also initiated the first Safe Grad in the province when her daughter Canda graduated from high school. Vicky was subsequently elected to City Council in Dauphin in 1998. As a councillor, Vicky championed many causes, including Chair of the Parkland Crisis Center Board, council representative on the Dauphin Chamber of Commerce and the Chair of the Vermillion Trail Walking Committee. Other council committee appointments included Dauphin Recreation Commission, Dauphin Airport, Emergency Measures Committee, Community Development Corporation, the Dauphin Cultural Awareness Committee, the Cemetery Board, the Dauphin Band Group and the Heritage Committee. Vicky dedicated her life to the citizens of the Parkland Region. She was especially attracted to those who were disenfranchised. She gave voice to noble causes and support to worthy endeavours. She worked with seniors to improve their quality of living. She will be missed by many who were touched by her genuine humanity. A “Celebration of Life” service in honour of Vicky Yakemishin will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, August 13 in the Dauphin Recreation Complex Banquet Room. In lieu of flowers, the family is honouring Vicky’s wish to have donations made to the Dauphin and District Community Foundation. Even as she anticipated death, Vicky’s thoughts were of others. Sneath-Strilchuk Funeral Services, 204- 638-4110.www.sneathstrilchuk.com

As published in Brandon Sun on Aug 12, 2010