Yvonne Marie Essex's Obituary
Yvonne Marie (Chevalier) Essex, passed away on March 6, 2025, after a courageous 22-month battle with a Glioblastoma brain tumor. She was born in Grosse Pointe, Michigan on August 25, 1957. She was preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Mary (Sullivan) Chevalier. Yvonne graduated from Regina High School, in Harper Woods, MI in 1975.
After school, she worked in the law offices of Plunkett and Cooney and Martin, Bacon and Martin for a combined 17 years. Her preciseness for efficiency was a strength she carried to any job she undertook. This included the development and operation of her unique Bucksnort Lodge Products business in North Muskegon.
In grade school, high school and beyond, Yvonne excelled in any sport she undertook: softball, basketball, bowling, and in her later years became an excellent and avid pickleball player. On March 17, 1998, Yvonne met her soulmate, Bruce Essex, he proceeded to introduce her to outdoor sports. Yvonne’s natural athletic ability and skills were evident in the many hunting and fishing expeditions they took around the world.
Yvonne and Bruce enjoyed spending time as Snowbirds at their condo in Islamorada, Florida; in the summer, they spent weekends working the great outdoors at their cabin in Grand Marais, Michigan. In both locations, they enjoyed dining, fishing, and sharing stories with many friends and family.
Near and dear to Yvonne’s heart were the many philanthropic acts of charity carried out by her and Bruce. As Winston Churchill said, “We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.” This statement alone exemplified Yvonne. From the donations of clean water wells in Nigeria, to monetary and diagnostics to Trinity Hospital in Muskegon where Yvonne was first diagnosed, and many other groups and individuals, the selfless giving of Yvonne and Bruce made them lives to emulate.
Yvonne is survived by her husband, Bruce and in her words, “The Love of Her Life”; her stepchildren, John (Jennifer) Essex and Kari (Chad Roark) Berge; grandchildren, Jacob, Emily, Hailey, Chloe, Jillian and Jolie; her siblings, Michael Chevalier, David Chevalier, Theresa (Greg) Dorchak, Julie Byrd, Tim (Amy) Chevalier, Gregory (Melissa) Chevalier and Bernadette (Tom) Livernois; many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews. In addition, many loving friends all who will miss Yvonne’s humor, compassion, listening ear, party organization skills, singing Gloria Gaynor one more time, and most of all her beautiful smile with the mischievous glint in her eyes.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at St. James Catholic Church, 5149 Dowling St., Montague, MI 49437 with visitation one-hour prior. A Visitation with the family will be held from 6-8:00 PM on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, and Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at the Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 6291 S. Harvey St., Norton Shores, MI 49444. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Yvonne’s honor can be directed to Trinity Health Johnson Family Cancer Center. Share memories with the family at www.sytsemafh.com.
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