Obituary of Yolande Connors
CONNORS, Yolande (nee Chabot)
May 9, 1925- October 21, 2021
Peacefully at home in Kingston surrounded by family with support from the South East LHIN Hospice Palliative Care Program and her family doctor of long standing. Born in Lauzon Quebec, the fifth of six children and only daughter of Colonel Charles A Chabot and Denise Bissonnette. The family re-located to Kingston ON in 1925 when her father accepted a position as a French professor with the Royal Military College.
Dearly missed by her daughters Colette (Montreal), Marcia (Kingston) and Denise (Quispamsis NB). Dear grandmother of Paolo Pace, Matt Connors and Hannah Henter (Michael). Great grandmother of Eva and Nadia Pace and Adele Henter. Pre-deceased by her only son Marc (1991), co-founder of the acclaimed a cappella group The Nylons, and her husband Captain (N) Thomas E Connors (1997). Also pre-deceased by her brothers Marc (RCAF; lost at sea near Malta 1941), Claude (1998), Chuck (1999), Luc (2001) and Paul (2013).
Yolande served her country proudly during WWII as a Navy WREN. She met her husband Tom who also served throughout the Battle of the Atlantic, and they were married in Kingston in 1946. Yolande was an exemplary, strong, independent and resilient Navy wife and mother, creating a stable loving home for their family in many different locations across Canada. They returned to the Kingston area in retirement in 1978. Yolande was very active as a volunteer with several organizations including the Hotel Dieu Auxiliary and was recognized by St. Mary’s of the Lake Hospital for over 30 years dedicated service in patient care. Yolande was honoured to receive the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award in 1998 for outstanding and selfless service to her community and country.
Yolande expressed her artistic talent in many ways including painting, gourmet cooking, floral arranging and interior decorating. She was renowned for her gracious hospitality and invitations to dine at her table were coveted. She radiated love, kindness, generosity and selfless devotion to others throughout her life.
Cared for lovingly at home by her daughter Marcia in her declining years. Special thanks to her extraordinary family doctor Sandra Cowan, and the PSWs and RNs from the Hospice Palliative Care program.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Francois d’Assise Parish, Kingston on Friday October 29 at 1:30pm. COVID protocols will be followed. Due to COVID restrictions please RSVP to James Reid Funeral Home 613-544-3411 between 9 – 4 pm. Rite of Committal at St. Mary’s Cemetery. There will be no visitation. In lieu of flowers, donations to UHKF in support of the Patient Comfort Fund at Providence Care Hospital, or a charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family.
To know her was to love her.
