Yvonne Joyce Newsholme (3 Oct 1958 - 4 May 2015)

In memory.

Yvonne Joyce Newsholme

• Yvonne was born 3rd October 1958 to Roy & Joyce Wilson. Four years later she was presented with a brother, Andrew.
• Theirs was a happy childhood, with lots of camping holidays.
• Educated at Catherine Slack & Brighouse Girls Grammar School; although from what she said to me over the years she wasn’t too focused on the work side of school.
• Yvonne left school aged 17 to work at Bradford University Library where she spent many happy years working with Janet, who remained a friend and regular coffee morning companion for the rest of Yvonne’s life.
• In April 1981 Yvonne became best friends with Sandra Dyson, a friendship that never ever waivered. There were many a drunken evening enjoyed over the years and lots of very happy times spent together. I was so pleased that Sandra was with us at the end; Yvonne would have loved that and I know it means so much to Sandra.
• We met whilst she was out with Sandra at an Inland Revenue Halloween Ball on 30th October 1981. Yvonne was dressed as a naughty school girl, accompanied by Sandra dressed as a Blue Nun.
• 22nd July 1983 we bought our first house together. This was a happy house with a lovely garden where we went through our “growing vegetables and homebrew” phase; believe me It is not that easy to grow veg on the heights of Queensbury.
• We were married on 12th June 1984. It was a small and simple wedding, but a special day none the less.
• Our first baby Emma was born 25th March 1985, boy did our lives change after that. Emma was a very happy little girl (with my stubborn streak) and just loved picking those veg and digging up the spuds.
• Yvonne transferred to University Postgraduate Department working with Lynda, Rosemary, Maxine and many others. Yvonne maintained very close links with Lynda and over the years they would often go out on regular evening jaunts and in recent times this became a two weekly trips to Costa. Yvonne loved running up the points and took great delight in telling me what she had eaten for free on her reward card. I know from talking to Lynda that she always thought of Yvonne as her sister.
• In July 1989 we moved to Mossybank Close, which Yvonne turned into a very happy family home where the family and Yvonne prospered on all levels. To this day it is still a happy family home despite Yvonne not being there to share in it any longer.
• Our second child Jon was born 14th January 1990. He did complain about the house as the garden is the not really big enough for football nets, something he constantly reminds me to this day.
• Our third child Matt was born 22nd July 1995. He was the most relaxed and laid back child and loved spending time with his big sister they were devoted to each other.
• Yvonne retired from work in 1999. This was after the first bad car accident we had which made her think about the fragility of life. As a result she wanted to devote her life to the family and home. She certainly excelled in this field.
• In March 2003 we bought the house in Spain and from that time onwards she was in her element having 2 houses to run and plan for. Yvonne heartily engaged in the life style that Spain can offer. Some very precious friendships were formed which have blossomed over the years. Those summer nights with Ger & Aus, Phil & Barry, Jackie & Kevin, Kris & Bob, Av & Bob and Regina & Gerrad were legendary. I am pleased to say that they are still continuing to this day. It was very sad this summer not to have Yvonne with us all in Spain, but I think we did our best to replicate what we had over the years. I think Yvonne would have approved, apart from me sleeping on the patio late one night and not going to bed.
• In August 2007 Emma graduated as a science teacher and I know just how proud Yvonne was of that achievement. It’s hard to know where she got the brains from, as neither Yvonne nor I were particularly academically gifted.
• In November 2008 Jon joined the RAF to become a qualified Chinook helicopter aircraft technician. He did 3 tours of Afghanistan and travelled the world. Whilst Yvonne and I had some tough times when he was in Afghanistan we were hugely proud of him. I think Yvonne would have approved of his recent decision to leave the service.
• In February 2009 Yvonne's mother, Joyce, sadly passed away after quite a short illness. Since that time Yvonne remained very close with Roy especially during her illness.
• In March 2010 Yvonne was diagnosed with breast cancer and after the operation to remove the tumour there followed a lengthy period of chemotherapy and radiology treatment. Yvonne tackled all this with her normal gusto. Two days after her last chemo treatment we were on the plane to Spain to be with Ger & Aus and as usual the first night, despite all advice to the contrary, we were out very late and so it went on.
• In February 2012 Yvonne was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in her upper skeleton. This was a very difficult time for us both as the future became very uncertain. But yet again Yvonne threw herself headlong into the treatment with all the side effects (her eyes never lost their sparkle). Fortunately the treatment was effective for quite a few months which did allow Yvonne quite a lot of freedom, even though she was finding her mobility increasingly difficult and restricted.
• In September 2013 Matt left home and went to Northumbria University to study Fine Art. It was very difficult to see our last child leave home. However, we had some good weekends away in Newcastle. However, since that day Matt has really blossomed as a person and he and I have never been as close as we are now; which I know his mother would have been very happy about.
• On 7th January 2014 Max was born to Emma and Kev. Max is our first grandchild and he meant such a lot to Yvonne. They spent hours together playing and chatting away together. Max really helped Yvonne cope with her failing health by providing a very happy distraction.
• In January 2014 Yvonne was diagnosed with further breast cancer in her liver, lungs and chest. Yvonne was given a revolutionary new drug funded by the Cancer Fund rather than the NHS
• 22nd August 2014 Jon and Hannah were married. The week before the wedding we were told that the new drug had failed to work and that Yvonne’s health was going to deteriate rapidly, as a result an emergency course of very strong chemo was started immediately. Yvonne had two treatments before the big day. Despite this the wedding was an enormous success and such a wonderful day for everyone. Yvonne was so happy that she was there and able to participate as well as she did.
• The emergency chemo treatment worked ok and as a result it gave us all at least another six months with her, for which I will be eternally grateful. It even allowed us (Yvonne, Matt and I) to have a holiday in Majorca in early April of this year. This proved to be our last trip away. When we returned it was clear that her health was deteriorating again.
• On 4th May 2015 Yvonne passed away after a long and exhausting fight against cancer. Despite all that she had to face she never once complained, became cross or angry, she never once said “why me.” However, she was frustrated by the inability to do the day to day tasks in life and because she knew that she would never see her life’ works come to fruition – which was to watch her family she loved so much to, grow and prosper. All the time I knew her she was a very straight (no nonsense) person who was extremely loyal to her close friends and family and it gives me great comfort to reflect on the wonderful things everyone has said about her because it is very clear to me that she had an impact on everyone who knew her.

She is so sadly missed by everyone.

Poem for Yvonne -- written by Barry Connolly

Yvonne
Y – Is for you, the person she always thought of first
V – Is for very caring to her family and friends
O – Is for offering that shoulder or helping hand
N – Is for never holding back on a choice or an opinion
N – Is for not ever once complaining
E – Is for every day, with her it was special
Today all our hearts are broken and shattered
But she will always be with us and that’s all that matters
She walked like a lady and talked like a friend
She listened intently and you were soon on the mend.
Her Children were first no matter what was thrown
When lives were apart there was never a moan.
To her husband she was beautiful but tough as they come
And he knew when an argument was over and done.
She watched over us all ruling from high
When there was an opinion to be had she was never shy.
On the other end of the phone when advice was requested
She would calm situations as everyone expected.
Her friends loved her dearly and now there is a hole
That can never be filled but we have her soul
We will miss so much but remember with fondness
The times together, the laughter and the madness

God bless a beautiful person



R.I.P

The collection plate at the funeral raised a total of £537, of which £268.50 has been donated to Cancer Research UK and £268.50 to Help For Heroes (a charity that Yvonne supported in recent years).
In addition, Mr & Mrs Haley sent a cheque for £50 to be donated to Cancer Research UK, which I have forwarded to the charity.
This represents a magnificent effort by all concerned.
A big thank you from all the family to everyone who has donated both via this website and at the funeral.
Rob

From the donation plate at the crematorium.

From the donation plate at the Crematorium.

In loving memory of Yvonne, a lovely lady who will be sadly missed xx

Really sorry for your loss xx

So sorry to hear this sad news. My thoughts are with you and your family Bob xx

With love from Jill, John, Alice and Daniel xxxx

With love to you Bob and your lovely family.
Jill, John, Alice and Daniel xxxx

Today we all say goodbye to a wonderful person....
I will miss my best friend so much.. xxx

My dear Yvonne, words cannot express the sadness of your passing. I will miss you so much and will keep you in my heart forever. Much love from your dear friend Rosie X

Yvonne a lovely lady neighbour and friend will be very sadly missed always in our hearts and thoughts Sleep tight Yvonne much love mick Julie Amanda lexi and Jamie xxxx

Thinking of you all at this sad time

From everyone at Landid

From everyone at Landid

Thinking of you all.

Dear Yvonne, friends and family may no longer hold you in their arms but will hold you forever in our hearts. Happy memories of our time working together at Bfd Uni. God Bless, sending much love Anne Bennett xXx

My dear yvonne I will miss your smile and those special moments we shared over the years both in Spain and on the other end of the phone. I count myself one of the luckiest girls in the world to have had such a dear and wonderful friend. The night sky has been given a new sparkle, we love your dearly and you will always be in our thoughts and in our prayers sleep tight Yvonne miss you forever xxxxxxxx

Sending you all lots of love, Anna, Neil, Harry, Poppy & Isabelle xxxxx

Sending you all lots of love. Anna, Neil, Harry, Poppy & Isabelle xxxxx

Thinking of you all Emma. Lots of love, Georgia and James xx