Remembering Aunt Yvonne

Aunt Yvonne (left) and family cousin Katherine at our wedding reception in 2004.

It's been a tough few weeks for my family with the passing of Uncle H.D. in October, and this past week, my mom's aunt, my great aunt, Yvonne Emery died suddenly. She turned 73 last Monday, Nov. 10, and on Tuesday afternoon, her heart simply stopped beating while she was at home talking on the telephone. Her passing is still a shock to all of us.

Aunt Yvonne and her husband, Uncle Paul, used to live near my parent's house in Alachua. One of my fondest memories of her and Uncle Paul is when they helped save our Christmas one year. During the days leading up to Christmas in 1989, a snow and ice storm delved all the way down to Florida. I was 12 years old and had never seen snow. What we experienced was more ice than snow, and it created more havoc than happiness. Churches canceled Christmas services. The mall and other stores closed early because no one could drive on the icy roads.

Our family Christmas gathering was also canceled, and it was something my younger brother and I look forward to since we saw all our cousins and exchanged presents. While the snow and ice were exciting, we were kind of trapped in our house with no place to go. Aunt Yvonne invited us over for supper one night. My dad had to use an ice pick to break the ice from his truck's door handle, so we could open the door and all pile in the truck and drive about 1/8 of a mile on the icy road to their house. I think it took us about 10 minutes to drive what usually would have been a 2 minute drive.

She made delicious Brunswick Stew, which we'd never had before. My mom still uses her recipe when she makes it. It might seem like a small gesture, but it meant the world to us.

Aunt Yvonne leaves behind her husband of 51 years, three sons and six grandchildren. She was the true rock of her family, and I know it's going to hard for them during this holiday season. At least heaven will enjoy some delicious Brunswick Stew. We love you, and we'll miss you Aunt Yvonne.