(nee Estabrook)
February 9, 1924 – December 19, 2009
Passed away in the company of her daughter April at Lady Minto Hospital on Salt Spring Island, BC from the complications of Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Born in Saint John, New Brunswick to Joe and Myra (Bacon) Estabrook. She is survived by sisters Betty Campbell and Pat Estabrook, children April (Gary Railer) Salt Spring Island, Chris (Sandy) San Diego CA, Barry (Joni) Manzanita OR, Nancy Houck (Bill) Waterford VA, grandchildren Ginger and Billy Houck. Predeceased by her parents, first husband Bill Steel (1991) and second husband Armando Fabbri (1988).
Five years after moving to the United States in 1962 Yvonne and Bill separated causing Yvonne to seek employment to support her three children still at home. During their “dancing years”, she and best friend Juanita Gomez took many cruises and trips. On one of these cruises, Yvonne met the ship’s engineer, Armando Fabbri. They had a long distance ship board romance which continued for many cruises after their marriage. In 1984, they retired to Armando’s native Italy. Following his death four years later, Yvonne then returned to Canada after a 26 year absence. From her Ottawa headquarters she continued a peripatetic life traveling to Europe, visiting her kids and grandkids in the United States and wintering in Victoria.
Yvonne moved to Victoria in 1997. She continued to travel and was an insatiable reader and writer with no day complete without getting outside until seven months ago when living with cancer required hospitalization. Moving to the Residential Care Unit of the Lady Minto Hospital for her last few months she was well looked after by the excellent staff of the ECU. She retained her positive attitude through life’s ups and downs to the end. A family memorial will be held in the spring with remains to be scattered at sea. In lieu of flowers any donations may be made to the Lady Minto Hospital Foundation 135 Crofton Rd, Salt Spring Island, BC V8K 1T1.