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In memory of

Yvonne Marie Filipek

Peoria, AZ, USA

March 19, 1939 - September 3, 2020

Mar 19, 1939 - Sep 3, 2020

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In the spring of 1939, in a quiet little fishing town outside of Mulgrave, Nova Scotia there was a child born to Joseph Stewart and his wife, Jeanette. Her name was Yvonne Marie, and she was born on the 19th of March. Depending on who you ask, the big news of the town that year would have been the newly paved road to the ferry, but in reality, it was her. And here is why.

The eldest of 9, Yvonne or “Vonnie” as her beloved father came to affectionately call her was feisty, strong, kind and full of wit. Her dear siblings include Joyce Amirault, Isabel Halfpenny, Glenda Fenech (Joe), Daniel Stewart (deceased), Neil Stewart (Betty), Billy Stewart, Russ Stewart (Jennifer) and Doug McCall (Tina). After losing her father at age 15, she set out to make her own way. And that’s exactly what she did.

A few years later, she met the love of her life at a dance in the Mulgrave area. A man named Bogumił (Bob) Filipek, who had immigrated to Canada from Poland years earlier. After they married, they settled in the Toronto area where they loved dancing to jazz, polka and the big bands playing at the Palais Royale, a dance hall on the waterfront of Lake Ontario that still stands today. People loved watching Bob and Yvonne dance. Together they raised 3 beautiful daughters, Vicki Lynn (Glenn), Valerie Ann (Jeff) and Vanda Lee. In 1968, the desert sunshine and promises of warmer weather brought them to The States where they settled in Phoenix, Arizona.

Yvonne always had a strong sense of spirituality and a deep love for God. Her yearning to know the truth and find accurate answers to her Bible questions led her to meet 2 people who would change her life in the most profound way. They offered her the Watchtower and Awake! magazines for 10 cents. She had never heard of them before and said “Sure, you can’t get much for 10 cents these days.” They told her she might be surprised. She gave them a dollar and told them to keep bringing the magazines until her dollar ran out. That was the best dollar she’d ever spend. This small exchange helped her to come to know her Great God, Jehovah, which inevitably became the most important relationship she would ever have and would define the rest of her life. She symbolized this dedication in baptism on January 8th, 1967. 40 years later she was able to thank these same 2 people who originally contacted her for this invaluable gift when they met again in Toronto. She had, indeed, been surprised by what she got “with only 10 cents.”

Yvonne was the spiritual trailblazer of her family. Her faithful, “no-nonsense” example helped countless others on their spiritual journey, including her own beloved husband Bob, who faithfully passed away in 1987, as well as her son-in-law, Glenn. Their tradition of discussing Bible prophecy helped him to solidify his own faith in his younger years, growing to maturity and sealing his heartfelt love for Jehovah that has lasted the test of time. Her zeal for the Truth and her ministry was a hallmark trait that she will be remembered for.

Through the years, Yvonne lived her life bravely and to the fullest; traveling, line dancing, working as a Librarian, eating bread, listening to Country & Western music, making the worlds’ greatest meatloaf, teaching her granddaughters’ 6th Grade Class how to Polka, and eating more bread.

On the morning of September 3, Yvonne quietly snuck onto the sleeper car, “feisty, firm and faithful”. Big news, once again, but this time it was because of the effect she had on the lives of others and the good record she had made with her Creator. That paved road in Mulgrave from 1939 has long been forgotten, it may not even be there anymore. But unlike that road, we can’t ever forget her; everything she meant to us and everything she did for us- and neither will her God, Jehovah. Hebrews 6: 10-12

She is survived by her family and the people who will always be the biggest fans of her life. Her daughters Vicki, Valerie and Vanda who were, in her own words, “the best daughters that anyone could have.” Along with her sons-in-law, Glenn and Jeff, whom she loved as her own. Add to that, 5 adoring Grandchildren; Jennifer and Courtney (Vicki), Justin, Shelby and Cailee (Vanda) and their spouses. Plus 5 more Great-Grandchildren who loved their GG to the very end.

While it’s true, none of us were ready to be without her, what we remember most is her unfailing spirit of tenacity, resilience and zeal, which is something we will carry with us in our hearts as her rallying cry. In the meantime, we find quiet moments of peace in this pause, as we eagerly await being reunited, and our hearts are soothed because that time is, “just around the corner.”

A private memorial service for family to be held at a later date.

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