Yvonne Marie Young Lipsey
Yvonne Marie Young Lipsey, our dearly beloved daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, passed away peacefully at her home with her loving family by her side, on March 16, 2017, after a valiant battle with lung cancer. She was born on January 23, 1950 to Lucile Gillett and Bob Young, and had the great fortune of being raised by Homer Gillett, her father by choice.
Yvonne was the loving and devoted mother to her four beautiful daughters, Michelle, Tracy, Stephanie and Shawna. She married the love of her life, Glen Lipsey on July 25, 2002, whom she loved beyond measure, and became the loving step-mother to Tracey, Heidi, and Joe.
Yvonne's greatest joy in life was spending time with her husband and family. She was always at her happiest whenever she was planning family gatherings, cooking for the holidays, taking trips to Wendover and with her best friend Rita (Mike) LeBlanc, or boating on Strawberry Reservoir. Her daughters were her sunshine and she deeply and unconditionally loved each one of them. The special bond that Yvonne shared with every single one of her grandchildren is something that fairytales are made out of. Her love was felt by all who had the wonderful opportunity to meet her, for she always had a way with words, an open heart and a listening ear.
Yvonne overcame many obstacles in life with grace. At 44 years old she suffered a stroke which forced her to quit working a job that she loved. She recently stated that this was in fact a blessing in disguise because it gave her the gift of being able to take care of her grandchildren from kindergarten on. Yvonne carried this perspective through any challenge that she faced, and she approached each day with a strong will and an appreciation for what the day ahead held. In fact, the day before her passing, Yvonne remarked at how good it felt to be outside enjoying the sun, something that many of us may take for granted. We've learned a lot from her, because as she has told us on more than one occasion, "it's not what you go through, but the way you go through it". There are no words to express or define who this beautiful woman was. She will be forever loved and missed by all of her family and friends.
Yvonne leaves behind her devoted husband Glen; her mother Lucile; four children Michelle (Scott) Hunsaker, Tracy (John) Boren, Stephanie (Troy) Bright, Shawna (Fred) Davis; her step-children Tracey (Jim) Dawson, Joe Lipsey, Debbie (Rick) Nordahl, Sheri (Danny) Weaver, Linda (Lynn) Southworth and Duane Feragen; 19 grandchildren Tiffanie (Sione), Christopher, Amber, Melissa, Cheyanne, Taira (Steve), Heather, Justin, Keera (Steven), Joshua, Hayden, Ciara, Liz (John), Jake, Daniel, Bryce, Maria, and Joey; 17 great grandchildren; siblings Marlene (Frank) Westerman, Dana Young and Dennis (Wendy) Young; her son-in-law David Heiter; her two best friends whom she loved beyond words, Rita (Michael) LeBlanc and Robyn (Andrew) Dudley; and her dearest sister by choice Velma Feragen. Yvonne was preceded in death by both of her fathers, granddaughter Ashley Boren, grandson Brandon Feragen, step-daughter Heidi Losser.
We wish to extend our deepest gratitude to all of those with Huntsman Cancer Institute, and in particular to Dr. Shiven Patel, Julie Luckart and Kiersten Mietchen for providing Yvonne with remarkable care and compassion. We would also like to thank Rachel, Lucia, Evan, Joseph and Amylee with Hearts for Hospice Nursing Services for their sincere comfort in Yvonne's final days.
A celebration of Yvonne's life will be held Friday, March 24, 2017, from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., at Starks Funeral Parlor located at 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City, Utah. Guests are encouraged to use the complimentary valet parking provided on the north side of the building.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a donation to the family can do so through the America First Credit Union in the name of Yvonne Lipsey's Charitable Account.