A dedicated teacher I remember from 60 years ago.

Dear Yvonne, where ever you are, you inspired me so much, you gave me so much strength that today, I am the co-fondateur of a program called ETAPMANITU "Enseignement par les arts à travers la culture innue". This method comes from my training with LTTA. This method is taught today in universities all over Quebec and teachers from around the globe visit and use our website to teach the curriculum through the arts.
This method is available to everyone for free, the MINISTRY OF EDUCATION OF QUEBEC finances this program since 2017... Thank you, I will never forget you. Please excuse my french. Love, SAM

Thinking of you at this time, and remembering Yvonne's warmth, love of children, teaching, and the arts, and all she taught me (and many others) about good ways of being human and connected to each other.



	May her memory always be a blessing.



	Ellen

Toronto Summer Music Festival will not be the same without lively conversations with Yvonne at the Edward Johnson Building.  She and Gene were appreciative supporters and subscribers from the start.  



	Yvonne's spirit lit up every gathering she attended.  Her beautiful home reflected that spirit and beauty.  With great generosity she opened her gorgeous garden and home for the annual Canada Day Garden Party, establishing and fostering more connections between friends than a telephone exchange!  It would be remiss to neglect mention of the role that her devoted Gene played in making possible so many of the wonders achieved by Yvonne.  We will all miss her, but none more than Gene.  One plus one equalled more than two.  The two, minus one, will leave Gene bereft, but with support of his large contingent of caring friends, his own strength will carry him through.  



	Deepest sympathy, Gene.

I first met Yvonne in the early 1990s when she was teaching in the Faculty of Education. She was an outstanding and passionate educator and was totally dedicated to her students. Her contribution to the Faculty and to Ontario education will be sorely missed and long remembered. Please accept my deepest personal sympathies and those of my colleagues in the Faculty of Education who knew her. Ron Owston Dean, Faculty of Education York University

I met Yvonne Simpson in 2000, when I began working with the program Learning Through the Arts.  Yvonne was an inspiration to all of us, with her compassion, her love of children and of stories and creativity. She believed each person has his or her own inner light that must be nurtured and not crushed out.  She shared with us stories of her own learning experiences (I well remember her telling us about the little boy who drew a paper bag over the face of a person in his drawing), and also about the way former students, now teenagers or adults, would greet her warmly when they met her again.  Yvonne had a keen and loving interest in each of us who worked in the program, as artists and human beings.  What I remember now, especially, is how we were gathered for a Learning Through the Arts professional-development day on the morning of September 11, 2001, in the basement of the Royal Conservatory in Toronto.  After an hour or so, we heard the terrible news...then more terrible news. Should we leave or stay and continue our work together? Under Yvonne's mentorhsip, we decided that by staying, we could affirm the power of the arts and their vision of a peaceful and connected world, even in the face of so much destruction.  Our group of about two dozen people held hands -- perhaps we sang "We Shall Overcome," perhaps we meditated silently.  We carried on.  We cared.  Each time I saw Yvonne after that, for about 10 years (until her retirement from the program), we remembered that moment.  May her memory be a blessing.

While Yvonne was in the hospital we'd do different things to help her pass the time. I read her favorite children's books to her, recited poetry, sang songs and sometimes I retold her own stories back to her. She asked me to write them down to help her remember them.



	You were standing in the hallway of a school one day when a little boy ran up to show you his drawing.



	"What a beautiful castle!" you told him, but it so far away, how will you get there?"



	"That's easy. I'll show you," he said and traced a pathway to the castle with his finger. His route zigged and zagged on its way to the door.



	"May I find my way to the castle too?" you asked and he held up his paper for you to trace your path. Your finger took a different route to the castle, curving across the page.



	"That's not how you get there," a second boy interjected and he grabbed the paper and traced a straight line.



	"I guess we all have our own path to the castle," you said. "But now, how do we get in?"



	"That's easy," said the second boy. "You need a key."



	"I know!" The artist ran off and quickly sketched something on a piece of paper. He tore it out and brought it over to you. "Here's the key!"



	"That's not a real key," said the second boy. "Real keys are made with metal."



	"Oh I think it will work," you said and gently took the tiny paper key and used it to open the castle.



	You told this story to remind us how we are all different. When we work with children we need to know an honour that everyone has their own path to the castle, and once we get there, we all need a different key to get in. We have to find our own path and sometimes we even need to make our own keys.



	My condolences and love to all those who cared for Yvonne.



	Big hug,



	Nicole

While Yvonne was in the hospital we'd do different things to help her pass the time. I read her favorite children's books to her, recited poetry, sang songs and sometimes I retold her own stories back to her. She asked me to write them down to help her remember them.



	You were standing in the hallway of a school one day when a little boy ran up to show you his drawing.



	"What a beautiful castle!" you told him, but it so far away, how will you get there?"



	"That's easy. I'll show you," he said and traced a pathway to the castle with his finger. His route zigged and zagged on its way to the door.



	"May I find my way to the castle too?" you asked and he held up his paper for you to trace your path. Your finger took a different route to the castle, curving across the page.



	"That's not how you get there," a second boy interjected and he grabbed the paper and traced a straight line.



	"I guess we all have our own path to the castle," you said. "But now, how do we get in?"



	"That's easy," said the second boy. "You need a key."



	"I know!" The artist ran off and quickly sketched something on a piece of paper. He tore it out and brought it over to you. "Here's the key!"



	"That's not a real key," said the second boy. "Real keys are made with metal."



	"Oh I think it will work," you said and gently took the tiny paper key and used it to open the castle.



	You told this story to remind us how we are all different. When we work with children we need to know an honour that everyone has their own path to the castle, and once we get there, we all need a different key to get in. We have to find our own path and sometimes we even need to make our own keys.



	My condolences and love to all those who cared for Yvonne.



	Bug hug,



	Nicole

Not only was she my teacher but she later become my friend, mentor, and role model.  I have so many fond memories of her and this place will miss her so very much.  Thank you for all that you have done for the city and all the lives you have touched over the year.  I love you and miss you.

Music drew us together - especially our mutual love of chamber music. Music Toronto concerts at the St. Lawrence Centre were our principal meeting place with Yvonne and Gene. Pre-concert and Intermission conversations with the Simpsons and their friends made those concerts something really special for us. Knowing we were car-less, Gene and Yvonne took pity on us and for many years drove us home to our loft in Kensington Market on their way to North York. Learning of Yvonne's outreach work with the Conservatory, and sharing stories, opinions and feelings during those too-short drives, became one of our most looked forward to pleasures.



	The last time we saw Yvonne was on March 20, and we knew then that something was seriously wrong. On the walk to the nearby parking garage after the concert, Yvonne was so out of breath that she had to stop several times during that brief journey. We had planned to visit Yvonne at the hospital today (Sunday), but sadly we were a few days too late - for which we shall never forgive ourselves.



	For the past several years, whenever we think of summer in Toronto, two important events always came to mind (in no particular order): Toronto Summer Music and the annual party on July 1 at the Simpsons. Both occasions were high points for us, as a couple. The amazing circle of friends that Yvonne and Gene have attracted into their lives says so much about the outreach that this remarkable couple has shown toward the world.



	Yvonne, we shall miss your grace, warmth, charm and positive view toward life. Gene, we will always be here for you. Thank you for sharing Yvonne with us both.

Yvonne touched so many people on different levels. For me it was gardening. Who can forget her inviting all the neighbours to bring their lawnchairs and sit in her driveway at dusk, waiting for the Night Blooming Cirrus to open? Quite an event. And thank you for bringing me a piece of it, it will be part of my memories of you that continue to live on.



	Anne Brown

Dear Gene, I offer my deepest sympathy. Remember I am only a telephone call away. Sincerely, Shaymus

Karen Evans made a donation to CANADIAN BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION

During this difficult time I would like to extend my most heartfelt sympathies. If you need a friend to help you through this, you know who to call.

Santino & Erica Bellisario and Family made a donation to CANADIAN BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION

We would like to extend our most heartfelt sympathies. Yvonne was such a wonderful lady. She touched so many people in our neighbourhood, whether it was at book club meetings, community gatherings, or taking photos of neighbourhood children in their costumes on Halloween. She will be sorely missed.

Tara Nassar made a donation to CANADIAN BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION

Gene, You and Yvonne have watched our family grow over the years. We have been supported and encouraged by the two of you countless ways. The spirit of Yvonne lives on within us. The Nassar's

OBITUARY

Yvonne Simpson

Passed away on APRIL 25, 2014

Kane-Jerrett Funeral Homes

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