Yvonne Ann (Hepworth) Chatburn

Yvonne, 98, cherished wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, passed away at home in Cheney on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016 with loving family in attendance.

Yvonne was born on May 29, 1918 to Mabel and Charles Hepworth. Yvonne was 14 when her mother died so she and her dad raised her four younger brothers.

In 1959, the family moved to Cheney. Yvonne took a part-time job in the Eastern Washington State College library when her husband, Joe, was hired for an administrative job. Yvonne cheerfully helped students find materials they needed.

Yvonne and Joe built a new house in 1965 "up on the hill." They enjoyed hosting UCC church groups, college friends, neighbors, family, visiting relatives, PEO sisters, and Hawaiian students as EWU club supervisors.

The next 20 years they were busy supporting their children's activities. Camping at Lake Slocan, British Columbia was a favorite yearly family gathering, Yvonne always a good sport even at age 97. In 1966, the joy of grandchildren entered Yvonne's life.

The family would like to thank our wonderful caregiving staff who gently attended her and Horizon Hospice of Spokane for their guidance and support. The love and care of neighbors and friends was dearly appreciated.

Yvonne and Joe celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary prior to Joe's death in 2007. They are lovingly remembered and appreciated by their children: Peggy O'Connor (Federal Way, Wash.), Ron Chatburn and Lin McGinn (Spokane), Patricia and Richard Conant (Federal Way) and Alonna Chatburn and Gordon Sherling (Marysville, Wash.), their 10 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cheney Historical Museum or EWU Scholarship Foundation, Graduate Fellowship, 127 Hargraves Hall, Cheney WA, 99004.

Yvonne's funeral and burial was held in Boise, Idaho on Nov. 16. Yvonne was laid to rest beside her sweetheart, Joe, and her first baby, JoAnn (deceased in 1940). A local memorial service will be held in Cheney on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016 at 1 p.m. at the United Church of Christ. Family and friends are invited to attend.