Yvonne Marie Brzak (nee Martel)

It is with deep sadness and love that we announce the peaceful passing of Yvonne Marie Brzak at the Red Deer Hospice on September 18, 2025 surrounded by love at age 69.

Yvonne was born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan on July 1, 1956 to Adolph and Mary Martel. Yvonne was the youngest of 4 children. She always wanted to do what her older siblings were doing. She enjoyed many adventures with her sisters Barb and Sheila and brother George. They knew her as Bunny Bee and she retained that name throughout her life. Almost everyone who loved her called her Bunny Bee.

When she was 16 she had her first daughter who she named Angela Mae. Since Yvonne was only 16 she was not given any encouragement or offered any support to keep Angela Mae. So with painful reluctance she gave Angela Mae up for adoption. Yvonne could not know it at the time but Angela Mae was adopted to a very loving and supportive family. Angela Mae’s new family named her Karen Lynn. Yvonne and Karen Lynn would find each other 28 years later and developed a beautiful loving relationship.

When Yvonne was 18 she had her second daughter , Robyn Michelle. She was determined that no one would take her baby away this time. Yvonne left her family home to start a new life with her daughter. To support her and Robyn’s new life Yvonne started working at Valleyview Centre just outside of Moose Jaw. At Valleyview Centre Yvonne helped people with developmental disabilities. Yvonne’s strong work ethic and compassionate nature were the perfect fit for this work.
Later Yvonne and Robyn would move to Edmonton where she worked in an oilfield supply warehouse. She excelled at this job as well. But Yvonne did not like living in Edmonton so she moved to Penhold initially and then Red Deer to stay with her sister Barb. It was at about this time in the early 80’s that she started working at Michener Centre helping people with developmental disabilities. She was a wonderful caring staff there for more than 30 years.

While working at Michener Centre Yvonne met her husband to be David Brzak. They married in 1996 and enjoyed many adventures together. They travelled to Mexico many times and 2 trips to Rome and Vatican City where she saw Pope Francis 8 times. She found it to be very powerful and spiritually
uplifting.

When Yvonne and David retired in 2013 they fulfilled their dream of moving to Manzanillo, Mexico. They lived there year round for almost 4 years.
It was in 2017 during a visit to Canada that Yvonne had worrisome symptoms that compelled her to seek medical assistance. Shortly after Yvonne was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer. After this diagnosis Yvonne and David moved back to Red Deer where she could receive treatment. This was the
beginning of a battle that would last more than 8 years. Yvonne defied medical expectations by living beyond 5 years . And despite her declining health and decreasing mobility Yvonne still managed to take trips to Mexico . Even as late as this past February Yvonne enjoyed a trip to Manzanillo where
she could see her and David’s good friends Enrique and Daniela. Yvonne was a fighter with gritty determination.

And anyone who knew Yvonne would know that she was a direct and honest person who always told it like it was. Her candor was refreshing.
After a series of hospital visits earlier this year it was determined that cancer had returned and metastasized to her bones. Yvonne was transferred to the Red Deer Hospice on May 20, 2025 It was at the Red Deer Hospice that Yvonne received the most respectful compassionate care from everyone
who works and volunteers there. The care was very much like the care Yvonne had given others all through her life.

And her husband David was permitted to stay with her night and day. This was wonderful that they could remain together as they always had.
She said that she really loved it there and that she could be a spokesperson for how wonderful they all are at the hospice.

Yvonne leaves to mourn her husband David., her daughters Karen ( Steve) Burton and Robyn ( Robb) Bourque, her stepson Nathanael ( Christa ) Brzak, her grandchildren, Darion Loughlin, Kiara Dyck, Brier Brzak and Liam Burton, her sister Sheila (Ron) Mokry, many nieces and nephews including Stephen
(Claire) Parker, April Parker, Amy ( Dave) Parker, Mark (Krystal) Mokry, Sarah (Rob) Mokry, Stephanie (Emett) Rushton,, Michael Martel, Colin(April) Hummel, Shelley(Randy) Jorgenson, Kevin ( Christine) Hummel, Tracy (Andre) Fortin several great nieces and great nephews, Brother-in-Law Craig Parker, Sisters- in –
law Emily ( Gordon) Hummel and Betty( Ron) Landry.

Yvonne was predeceased by her parents Adolph Martel and Mary(McGough) Martel. Her brother George Martel, Her sister Barb Parker, Her nephew Paul Huel, Her nephew Jason Bugbee, Her stepdaughter Carmon Brzak, Her grandson Brandon Loughlin Her brother in Law Andrew Huel, Her brother- in- law Charles Brzak and her brother in law Robert (Brenda) Brzak.

Special Thanks to everyone who works and volunteers at the Red Deer Hospice. You are all wonderful including the LPN’s , Health Care Aides, Bereavement counselors, the chefs who make amazing meals, the cleaning staff , reception staff and of course the volunteers. The compassionate care you gave was
amazing . Special thank you to Linda who was a volunteer who became a friend to Yvonne. Special thanks to everyone who made a date night possible in our room. We can not adequately express how much we appreciate all that was done for us at the hospice.

And we thank everyone who visited Yvonne, some travelling long distances to be with her. We realize that more people would have visited if they had known that she was in hospice care but it was her wish to keep her circumstances private. And we thank everyone who prayed for Yvonne. She had faith in Jesus and the power of prayer. And we thank Father Robert from St. Mary’s for coming to see Yvonne to administer prayers, blessings and anointment. It was truly beautiful.

There will be a private memorial mass held at a later date. It was Yvonne’s wish to not have a public memorial.

In lieu of flowers those who wish to can donate to the Red Deer Hospice Society

• Date : 2025-09-18
• Location : Eventide Funeral Home