It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our Mother, Joan Yrjola, on Monday, July 22nd in her 82nd year.

Surrounded by family in her final hours, we are all so very grateful to have been able to share laughs, reminisce old times and listen to musical moments with our beloved Mother-Sister-Aunt-Nanny, who happily danced in bed to Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” and, when it was time, we privately said our goodbyes and, as she requested, we listened to her favourite song, “Earned It” by the Weeknd as she peacefully passed. She took with her, her lucky charm – her dog Dixie’s collar – who I am sure welcomed and is happy to be reunited with her so they may run free to partake in all of their heavenly desires.

She is survived by her brother Eugene (sister-in-law Pauline, Roland, Christopher), nieces Cynthia (Ted) and Denise (Frank, Adam, Michael), her daughter Connie (Mark), sons Jamie (daughter-in-law Teresa) and Wayne and grandchildren Wes, Dannielle (Frank, Ben, Max) and Jessica (Bryn, Harper, Miles).

We would like to thank all the staff at The Credit Valley Hospital Cancer Care Centre and the Palliative Home Care team’s Doctors, Nurses, PSWs and suppliers for their kind care and support over the very short duration of Joan’s cancer journey.

Our Mother Joan will be forever loved and so dearly missed.
“Be Happy and Enjoy Life for Me” is her request to all!

A celebration of Joan’s life will be held at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made in Joan Yrjola’s name to your local animal shelter to benefit the fur babies in your community.

** PSA to Women over 75 **
Continue to get a mammogram after the age of 75 even if all of your mammograms have been clear up to that age with no family history of breast cancer!