YVONNE (ALAIN) O'BRIEN

(by Marlyne and Maxine, nieces of Yvonne)

Yvonne's recollections of her early years are:

"As I remember growing up in the little berg of Delmas, they were carefree days, school, chores, and play."

"After we moved to Veillardville in 1928 there was so much work to do and everyone had to pitch in, the girls as well as the boys."

However, their days were not entirely spent working as the following incident, related by one of Yvonne's brothers proves:

"One day Ed Barry and Smokey had cut their hair all off and Ed turned to Rolland, who had a nice head of hair and was watching all of this from a distance, and said to him, 'You're next.' Away Rolland went upstairs."

"Yvonne came down after a while and said, 'Go sneak upstairs and see what Rolland is doing.' There he was on the bed with a pillowcase tied around his head. No one was going to touch his hair - he was protected!"

Yvonne married Raymond Turcotte on March 4, 1930. They lived in Hudson Bay, then moved to Flin Flon and later to Vancouver, B.C. Yvonne and Raymond had two girls and two boys. Each died at a young age: Joan at two and a half months; Neil at eight years; Darlene at birth; and Bruce who died at four years of age. Raymond died in 1944.

On June 1, 1951 Yvonne married Harry Wyman. They made several trips out to Saskatchewan and elsewhere to visit family. Marlyne remembers their excitement and happiness as they explored Louis' small acreage in Vernon, B.C. In fact, Yvonne and Harry were one of the first visitors Clara and Louis had in their new home. Although Harry fought gallantly over many years to combat cancer, he died August 14, 1975.

Then on December 16, 1977, Yvonne married Pat O'Brien, a postman in the Vancouver area. The family fondly remembers them attending the Alain reunions. We were shocked and saddened with the news of Pat's sudden death June 4, 1983.

To many of us (her nieces) growing up in Veillardville, we recall Aunt Yvonne's visits among us as happy times with much laughter, story telling and yes, even the occasional prank.

We remember Grandma Alain eagerly awaiting the weekly letter from Yvonne. These letters were usually filled with cartoons and many jokes. Grandma then shared them with other family members.

In spite of the sadness that has touched Yvonne's life, she has maintained her happy disposition through the years. She is to us an aunt we admire and respect.

As with other members of her family, Yvonne is enjoying her retirement years by travelling to various parts of the country, sightseeing and visiting with family.