Yvonne Celine Friedley

Yvonne Celine Friedley
Feb. 15, 1943 - Aug. 6, 2025

It is with great love and sadness that we announce the passing of Yvonne, who will be forever remembered for her devotion to family, her boundless energy, and her generous spirit.

Family was always at the heart of her life. She was a proud and loving mother to Jim (Brenda), Cathy (Dan), and Stephen (Cheryl), and a cherished grandmother to Ryan, Reid, Sarah, Owen, Ayden, and Emily. Each held a unique and special place in her heart, and nothing brought her greater joy than spending time together.

Baseball was one of her lifelong passions. In her twenties, she played for the Riverside Pharmacy Triple-A women’s team in Drumheller (“The Green Machine”) earning a reputation as a skilled short-stop, first baseman, and center fielder. A strong hitter, she often batted cleanup and delivered countless home runs, especially in clutch moments. She even once found herself filling in for a men’s fast-pitch team during the finals, an unexpected and thrilling highlight. Later, she turned her love of the sport toward coaching, guiding the Delia girls’ team from their early years through to competitive women’s league play, proudly leading them to an Alberta women’s tournament championship.

Her creativity knew no bounds. A talented and versatile crafter, she explored macramé, petit point, cross-stitch, quilting, decoupage, and more, though quilting became her greatest passion. She poured her skill and heart into every stitch, creating treasured quilts for family, friends, and those in need. Over the years, she donated well over 100 quilts to seniors, newborns, and the Salvation Army, believing deeply in the comfort and kindness a handmade gift could bring.

Hard work was woven into every part of her life - a value she learned from her father, Clifford Friedley. Alongside her full-time work at a craft store in Drumheller, she managed the many demands of farm life. She raised a herd of cattle, beginning with an abandoned calf named Yoshabelle, tended her gardens, maintained her home, and cared for her beloved poodles, Minnie (“Minya”) and Tuffy.

Her love for the Lord was evident in the way she lived her life. She found joy and comfort in reading Scripture and singing old hymns. Her trust in God guided her through life’s challenges and inspired her acts of kindness, from the quilts she made for those in need to the care she showed to family, friends, and her community. She leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, hard work, and generosity that will be felt by all who knew her.

A small intimate funeral will be held at the graveside with immediate family only.  We appreciate your thoughts, prayers, and support as we navigate this loss. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Alberta Cancer Foundation or the Alzheimer's Society of Canada in Yvonne’s memory.

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