Obituary of Yvette Ann Marie Jaspar

We, the family of Yvette Ann Marie Jaspar (nee Brotzel) are saddened to announce her sudden passing from a brain aneurysm on December 19, 2020 at Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.  Left to mourn are her husband of 37 years, Rob Jaspar, children, David (Kelly), Michelle (Jory), Danielle (Lance), grandson Jay (3 months), brother Mel (Truann), along with several brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.

Yvette was born, May 19, 1957 in Kerrobert, Saskatchewan, to Betty and Ed Brotzel.  Her Elementary and High School years were spent in Kerrobert, where she unknowingly set the tone for her future life endeavours by being involved in the school Glee Club and the local hospital Candy Stripers.

After finishing high school, Yvette received her CNA designation from Kelsey Institute in 1976.  The following year, she entered the Bridging Program.  After graduating, she completed the certification exams to become an RN in 1979.

Yvette focused her nursing career in elder care, working at the Geriatric Assessment Unit and Day Hospital.  She worked collaboratively with other health care professionals to establish an innovative program serving older people in the Province.  Co-workers were impressed by Yvette’s sincerity, commitment and care for patients.  Unfortunately, workplace injuries ended her nursing career far too early.  However, Yvette became an extremely valuable resource serving the senior members of her own family.

Yvette loved music and singing.  She was an active, contributing member of the Sweet Adelines, Magic City Chorus in Saskatoon for over 25 years, holding numerous board and executive positions within the chorus.  Yvette was the Membership Coordinator for many years, and you could count on her to make guests feel comfortable at rehearsal. She would then nurture each new member through their first year in the chorus. That bond was never broken and dear friends were made. Yvette even called herself the “mother hen” of all her chicks.  She eagerly took on the role of Official Panel Liaison when Region 26 contests were in Saskatoon.  Yvette was the 2013 Region 26 Honouree for the Spirit of 26 Award, epitomizing spirit, strength, leadership, humour, and joy in all she does.

Yvette co-created the Angel Fund for the chorus, which provided financial assistance to chorus members needing help for travel expenses for annual competitions.  She administered the fund by herself on a strictly confidential basis for several years.  She organized raffles and other fundraisers for the Angel Fund.  When fundraising efforts fell short, she would discretely top up the fund from her own purse, to ensure all needy members could travel to the competitions.

Yvette's love went beyond family, friends, music and song. She loved her feline family, rescuing several feral cats that wandered into her yard.  She would arrange for veterinary care, then ensure they all found a home.  However, she couldn’t bear to part with many of them, so kept and nurtured them in her own loving home.

Yvette’s beautiful yard hosted a menagerie of birds that she meticulously fed summer and winter, rain, snow or shine.  Many neighbours walking by would comment on the joy they received observing and listening to the birds in her yard.

Yvette was a most selfless, caring and giving woman. It is only fitting that, by her death, she was able to give the gift of life through organ donation. The organ recipient families celebrated a Christmas miracle because of her selfless generosity.

The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and ICU staff for their exceptional, compassionate care, and for their great support in guiding us through this difficult period.  We greatly appreciate the respect shown by RUH OR staff for observing a moment of silence before Yvette’s organ donation.

Farewell to our beautiful Yvette.  You are greatly missed by all the people and animals you have lovingly touched.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Saskatoon SPCA, SCAT Street Cat Rescue Program, or Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation.