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Search forMourners say goodbye to Parkend teacher
08:00 - 08-July-2008
The mother-of-two, who taught at Yorkley Primary School for 25 years, was described as a shining star who lit up the lives of everyone she met.
Yvonne died at the end of last month just five weeks after she was diagnosed with cancer.
More than 450 family members, friends, colleagues and former pupils attended to celebrate the life of the 51-year-old.
Half the congregation had to remain in the churchyard, due to the volume of people, to hear the service played through speakers.
At the request of family, men wore jeans or trousers with a tie-less white shirt to reflect Yvonne's down-to-earth nature.
Tears at the beginning of the funeral turned to smiles and laughter as family and colleagues paid tribute to Yvonne.
David Swinyard, the former headteacher of Yorkley Primary School, led the tributes to her.
He said: “Yvonne was an outstanding teacher, a great colleague and a wonderful friend.
“She took the time to help the pupils who most needed help.
“To the students who weathered the stormy seas of life she was a true friend.
“They remembered her, and she remembered them.”
Her brothers Neil, Phillip and Nicholas also paid tribute to her and invited an applause for life.
Neil described fun visits to the Forest to see his sister when he was 14.
“She'd let me park her Mini although I had no licence or insurance,” he said.
“She knew how much I loved cars and I think she just liked seeing the look on my face.
“There was a lot less traffic on the roads 20 years ago but if you saw a blue Mini roaring around I do apologise.”
During the service Yvonne was described as an enthusiastic participant in the village community who loved the simplicity of life in Parkend. Hymns sung during the service were The Lord's My Shepherd and Dear Lord And Father Of Mankind.
Yvonne, who was born in Sunderland, moved to Hereford to do a degree in music before teaching at Severnbanks Primary School in Lydney.
Yvonne had taught at Yorkley Primary School, where she specialised in music, since 1987.
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