Yvonne Kemp

**Please note location change to Gayle McKay's Yard 626 Anderson Street Pilot Mound, Manitoba**

In Loving Memory of

 Yvonne Kemp

age 90

 The best mother anyone could ask for.

Heather, Brian and Susan along with friends

and family will truly miss that

“Nutty Plant Lady” from Wooden Gate.

She was predeceased by her husband George.

Died

March 22, 2023

Prairie View Lodge

Pilot Mound, Manitoba

Celebration of Life 

Saturday, June 24, 2023
Gayle McKay's Yard (626 Anderson Street) 
Pilot Mound, Manitoba
2:00 p.m.

Donations in memory of Yvonne may be made to the Pilot Mound & District Foundation Inc.  

Box 235, Pilot Mound, Manitoba R0G 1P0.

In Loving Memory Alice Yvonne Kemp (McArthur)

Yvonne passed away on March 22, 2023 at the age of 90 at Prairie View Lodge in Pilot Mound, Manitoba where she lived since 2013. She was predeceased by her husband George Kemp and is survived and lovingly remembered by her three children, Heather (Alan), Brian (Margaret), Susan (fiancé Sheldon), grandson Sev (fiancé Chianne) and brother in law Ken Kemp. She was also predeceased by her parents, Ken McArthur born in Hensall, Ontario and Leatha McArthur (Findlay) born in Snowflake Manitoba.
Yvonne was born Oct 18th, 1932 and was raised on a farm in Snowflake Manitoba. She had a wonderful childhood and being an only child, she shared lots of adventures with her dog Charlie, pony Trixie and many local friends. Yvonne relocated to Pilot Mound to complete her Grade 12. She graduated from Normal School in Winnipeg in 1952 and taught for a short time in southern Manitoba and then as a substitute teacher at Pilot Mound Collegiate.
While living in Pilot Mound, she met and married Donald Elsey, a local farmer, in October of 1952 and together they raised three children. Yvonne and Don divorced in 1972 and Yvonne married George Kemp from Wood Bay in 1975. They moved to an acreage in Wood Bay and built a new home close to the Kemp family farm. She truly enjoyed the new family connections and the many wonderful neighbors.
Yvonne loved gardening and she started growing plants which eventually led to a successful business…Wooden Gate Greenhouse. George worked tirelessly for her hauling water and preparing specialized soil for the plants along with numerous other jobs. Her greenhouse was her pride and joy and how she appreciated all the wonderful people who helped her with the many tasks. The family would like to send a special thank you to each and every one of those wonderful “greenhouse girls”. 
During the winter months Yvonne assembled and sold nut trays and was thus coined with the name “The Nutty Plant Lady”. She was truly an entrepreneur at heart. 
Yvonne loved her community, and it was an integral part of her life. She was involved in many local organizations such as 4H, UCW, Prairie View Lodge, Rose Garden and United Church Board to name a few. We were especially proud of her volunteer work with the Regional Health Authority. In her mid sixties she donned a business suit, carried a briefcase and traveled the country highways logging hours on the road, her cellphone close by. She was truly a wonderful person and a great mom. Her sense of humor and friendly nature touched the hearts of many. She and George assisted us children in so many ways over the years and we are incredibly thankful for their love and support. Yvonne and George moved to the Prairie View Lodge in 2013. George passed away in July 2019.
Yvonne struggled for many years with the devastating symptoms of dementia. In the last few years of her life our goal was to see her giggle and smile. We sang, danced, played her favourite songs and showered her with many hugs. The staff at PVL were always so kind and caring, they have our deepest appreciation and gratitude for the wonderful care they provided. With her children living far away, Yvonne was very fortunate to have June Evans as her special caregiver. Weekly video calls made the distance apart seem a bit better and mom often surprized us with a witty comment or wave of the hand. Our family is forever grateful to June for her kindness, thoughtfulness and friendship. And our home away from home over the years, Gayle McKay’s BnB, always made our visits very special.
A Celebration of Life will be held June 24th, 2023 at 2 pm in Mound Park, across from Prairie View Lodge, 424 Broadway Ave. with lunch to follow at United Community Arts Building, 148 Moffat Ave . Parking at Mound Park will be directed by Wheatland Funeral Home.  In the case of inclement weather, the service will be held in the luncheon location. 
Donations in her memory will be gratefully accepted by the Pilot Mound Foundation or the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Yvonne Kemp, please visit our floral store.