Yvonne Jones, 84 years, peacefully passed from this life on December 1, 2021 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Yvonne fulfilled her complete measure of creation as a loving wife, nurturing mother, proud grandmother and faithful daughter of God. Dementia and Alzheimer’s may have taken her memories over the last years of her life yet, it could not extinguish her zest for life, passion nor devotion to family and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Yvonne Jones was born July 7, 1937, in Cedar City, Utah, to proud parents, Willis Lawrence Skillman and Irene Haslam Skillman. Yvonne’s early childhood years were spent chasing her older sister, Carol Irene Skillman, around the family owned Eureka Sentinel Newspaper Building in Eureka, Nevada. Yvonne’s father, Willis Lawrence Skillman, grandfather, Edward A. Skillman and great grandfather Archibald Skillman founded the Eureka Sentinel which proudly printed local news from 1879 to 1960. Yvonne developed her keen eye for detail, editing skills, love of the English language and drive to improve the lives of others from her Eureka Sentinel roots.
Yvonne and her sister experienced lose early in their lives when their mother, Irene, died from ovarian cancer. Willis, their father, was unable to balance the rigors of raising two young girls and running a newspaper business. Family members stepped in to help yet, the Skillman sisters were separated. Yvonne went to relatives in Cedar City, Utah and Carol resided with family in Long Beach, California. Yvonne, unlike Carol, was taken in by a devout Christian(LDS) family. She was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the age of 8 years old. Yvonne loved her Savior Jesus Christ. She remained faithful to Him and the gospel teachings throughout her life.
Yvonne’s involvement in the church inspired her to also seek education at Latter-Day Saints Business College and then transfer to Brigham Young University. She studied English and Performing Arts eventually graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Preforming Arts. Yvonne also managed to meet the love of her life, Darnell Heaton Jones obtain the coveted marital degree on July 1, 1960. Darnell and Yvonne were married and sealed in LDS St George Temple. They remained faithful and true to each other for over 55 years when on December 18, 2015, Darnell passed from this life.
We are not sure what exactly transpires following in this life. Our faith and hope is that on Wednesday, December 1, 2021, Darnell welcomed Yvonne into his loving arms again. We also hope that those loved ones who proceeded Yvonne, such as her oldest son, Scott Skillman Jones and her beloved Sister, Carol Irene Skillman and parents, Willis and Irene, were there also for that joyous moment and reunion.
In a letter Darnell, Yvonne’s late husband, wrote, he described “Yvonne as talented, expressive, vivacious, and beautiful.” To this list, as the mother of her grandchildren, I like to add: adventuresome, entrepreneurial, industrious, clever, bold, patriotic, nurturing, supportive, loving, loyal, faithful, determined, kind, smart and caring. Her children, Scott, Benjamin and Juliet, if here, would praise her for being a loving, dedicated and devoted mother. Yvonne’s grandsons: David, Richard and Seth, will miss grandma’s funny expressions, her love of the garden and family. We will all miss Yvonne yet, she will live on in our hearts.
We want to thank the loving nurses and staff of Woodland Park Care Center, along with extended family members and friends that have shared their lives with her. You are welcome to celebrate her life on Tuesday, December 7, 2021. Memorial Services be held at Larkin Sunset Gardens 1950 E. Dimple Dell Road, Sandy, Utah 84092. Viewing is from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Services will commence at 11:00 a.m. to noon. Graveside service will directly follow. Our gathering will be small yet, all COVID-19 protocols will be in place. PLEASE COME and Celebrate Yvonne’s Life and Legacy
Now that Yvonne is free of the troubles of this life, and of her failing body, she will be the kind and talented person she always was. She'll be able to see and greet all her family and friends who have passed before her, and have a joyful reunion. Remember her for what she truly is, a daughter of God, as well as her relation to you. I didn't know Yvonne - I only knew of her through my friends, her son Scott and his wife Deb. They both did all they could to help as Yvonne's alzheimers got worse. Even after her husband, and also her son Scott unexpectedly passed away, Yvonne was not left alone. My friend Deb, her daughter in law, continued to make sure Yvonne was cared for properly. I can only hope my own family will be willing to take care of me in my last years, as well as Yvonne has been cared for in hers.