Obituary

Yvette Patsy Bland March 20, 1944 - November 14, 2023. It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Yvette at Toronto Western Hospital. Born in Manitoba and raised in a small industrial city in British Columbia, Yvette graduated from York University’s bilingual Glendon campus in Economics. She forged a distinguished career in Toronto’s money management industry at a time when there were very few women.  Yvette believed in and demonstrated that hard work and perseverance can break barriers and inspired others to aim high.

She is cherished and will be remembered dearly by family and friends, lifelong and new alike. She was fierce, funny, and left a positive imprint on many with her sharp wit and kind heart.

Yvette had equal appreciation of operas, Jazz and Elvis.  She created lasting memories for family and friends when hosting dinner gatherings filled with good conversations and laughter over fabulous meals, often featuring her signature black forest cake. Later in life, she was fortunate to travel with friends, exploring Europe, Far East, Australia, the Amazon and Antarctic. She loved biking, tennis, scuba diving, reading, chess, and her beloved kitty, Bandido.

In lieu of flowers, donations to a Toronto women's non-profit where Yvette served as a board member in the past, Sistering, may be made.  Mass will be held on Thursday, November 23 at St. Mary's Church 10:30, followed by a Celebration of Life at 12:00 in the Cardinal Funeral Home.

Visitation

Date
November 23, 2023
Location
Cardinal Funeral Homes - Bathurst Chapel
Time
12:00 AM - 02:00 PM

Service

Date
November 23, 2023
Location
St. Mary's Parish
Time
10:30 AM
Memo

Parking available at side and back of church

Cremation

Date
 
Location
Evergreen Crematorium
Time
 

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November 24, 2023
Therese Viksush
Yvette and I were very close growing up and i was sad when she left for the east. It is not surprising that she would excel, accomplish and be very successful at whatever she set out to do. I have not seen her for quite a number of years but thought of her ever so often often. It is warming to know she had good friends. Rest in peace Yvette your sister Therese
November 23, 2023
Rose Leveille
Yvette left home when I was a young girl and therefore, I did not get the opportunity to get to know her very well. We did visit with her on several different occasions and I found her to be a very intelligent and strong woman who accomplished a lot in her life. My sincere condolences to all of her dear friends. May she rest in peace. Your sister Rose.
November 20, 2023
Hanna Cabaj
Heartfelt sympathy to family and friends on Yvette's passing. May fond memories of time spent with her stay with you forever. She was truly one of a kind. Intelligent, fierce and accomplished, one of the pioneer women who had to crack the glass ceiling for others to come. We have been meeting Yvette on social occasions and will remember her as a lively presence and engaging conversationalist, able to mingle easily across generations. May she rest in peace.
November 19, 2023
Boyd McAdam
A fine, fine lady has left us. I knew Yvette for a little over forty years. We met when she worked for an investment counselling firm in 1981 and kept up our friendship through the years. I always loved her sharp wit and views of the world. Even though I've seen and talked to her less frequently in recent years it was never awkward to pick up the phone and call or buzz on her doorbell when I was passing by her house. The world just got a little dimmer with her passing.