Yvonne Lee Kearney Edwards Smith

Yvonne Lee Kearney Edwards Smith (70) of Steubenville, Ohio went home to be with the Lord on January 2, 2021 after a prolonged battle with cancer. Yvonne was born August 10, 1950, the daughter of Robert (deceased) and Mavourneen Kearney of Wintersville, Ohio. Yvonne is preceded in death by her father, Robert Kearney, her first husband Anthony Edwards, and her second husband, Richard, (Rick) Smith. She is survived by her daughter, Courtni (Aaron) Strong of  Wadsworth, her mother, Mavourneen Kearney, of Wintersville, Ohio, her brother, Larry (Mary) Purkey, of San Antonio, Texas, her sister, Roberta (Charles) Grigsby of Steubenville, along with many nieces, nephews and grand-nieces and nephews, all whom she loved dearly and considered her own.

Yvonne graduated from Jefferson Union in 1968. She attended Jefferson Community College where she completed her degree in nursing. She worked in numerous facilities over her career, including Royal Pavilion, Dixons, Schaffer Plaza and lastly at Trinity Health Systems. Yvonne loved people, and God gave her the special ability to touch the lives of many with her smile and compassion, and with her special perception of the little things that matter so much. She cared deeply for her patients, and for her fellow nurses. Yvonne served the fellow nurses a highly active member of her nurses’ union, O.P.E.I.U. local 457. She passionately protected the rights and interests of her beloved colleagues.

Yvonne retired from Trinity Health Systems in 2009, but she continued to nurse and nurture the needs of others as she transitioned from institutional nursing to that of in-home caregiver for her Aunt Helen Bone until her passing, and then for her Aunt Grace Huber, both whom she loved dearly. Yvonne blessed many of her family members and friends with her love, generosity, and her unique ability to laugh over the simplest situations. She found that being able to laugh even in times of stress and sorrow reduced the intensity of the situation to something more manageable. Yvonne was a peacemaker. She attended church at Word of Life Fellowship and Steubenville.

Yvonne bubbled over with God's love. She never met a stranger would open her heart and home to anyone she met. Her love, generosity, and compassion for patients, family, and friends was her gift to the world. Yvonne also loved animals and she rescued and adopted numerous dogs and cats over the years. She often traveled with her canine companions, who were known by name around town. One of those dogs worked alongside Yvonne at Trinity Health Systems as a service dog.

The love Yvonne shared with the world will be missed dearly, but the legacy of love and compassion she left behind remain in the hearts of many. Due to travel restrictions and social distancing mandates, the family has chosen not to conduct any services at present. Instead, they are hoping to hold a celebration of life memorial service at a later date. Yvonne Lee Kearney Edwards Smith will be entombed at Fort Steuben burial Estates. A In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to: Valley Hospice, 10686 State Route 150 Rayland, Ohio 43943.

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