Dorene Yakimetz
When love is great there is no need for words. For even in the silences, love can be heard.
Dorene Yakimetz passed away peacefully on August 14, 2024. Dorene was born in Edmonton and after graduation, she met and married the love of her life William (Bill) Yakimetz. They began their life of love, family, joy and travel in Vegreville and then they pursued their lifelong dream of moving to Honolulu, Hawaii where she would spend the next 44 years. Dorene and Bill traveled extensively to Europe, Asia and Africa and spent a great deal of time in Washington, D.C. From a young age, Dorene excelled as a pianist. Music moved her like nothing else and she continued to pass on the gift of classical and jazz piano to her students until she was 86. Dorene, elegant, charming and sophisticated, was an exceptional woman ahead of her time.
She was predeceased by her husband Bill (2012). Dorene will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her four children, Jayne Smitten, Lynda Labelle, Billy Yakimetz and Tamara Buchwald, 9 grandchildren, Paige and Hailey Smitten, Jeremy and Dominique Labelle, William, Alex and Andrew Yakimetz, Corbin and Tate Buchwald and 2 great grandchildren, Remi and Cielle Smitten-Gravel and all those lives she touched.
A private ceremony will take place in Hawaii at a later date.
I express my deepest sympathy. The Bible promises that your loved one will come to life again on a beautiful paradise earth when death will be no more in John 5:28, 29 and Revelation 21:4.
Dorene was such a wonderful person and I’m very glad having met her – first time in 1973 in Vegreville as a young girl on Lions youth exchange.
My deepest condolances and sympathy to the entire mourning family.
Sending my deepest condolences. What an incredible woman she was and I am so grateful to have known her. Sending love to all of you.
Troy
Dorene will forever be remembered as a sweet, kind and generous spirit who shared her love of music with the young children she embraced and loved. We have missed her since she moved back to Canada to be closer to family. Our condolences are with the family she loved so dearly.
From all of us at the Masaki School of Music. ❤️
Sending my sincere condolences to the entire family. She had a great life.
XOXO
Tamara, Your mother is with you always, first in her lifetime and then forever in your heart My deepest sympathies on the passing up your mother.
Dorene (aka Auntie Dorene) was truly a gem of a woman, she was sophisticated, charming, elegant, and incredibly funny. I’ll always hear her giggle when I think of her. My heart is so sad that she is no longer with us, but at the same time I’m comforted knowing she is with Uncle Bill and her brother again. Love to the family xoxo Always remembered.
I loved your mom. She was so full of life, exact, and humorous. Such a strong woman who impacted so many lives…. My deepest sympathy…..❤️
My mam, Dorothy, and I spent some wonderful hours with Dorene at MPWest. Together we enjoyed music, singing, and talking about anything that tickled our fancy. Dorothy and Dorene spent a lot of time together; she gave my mam a lot of comfort and friendship which I am so grateful for. There was such a genuine joy about Dorene – she looked directly at you with kindness and curiosity. Her eyes sparkled and she had such a delightful giggle. I’m glad to have spent time with her and you – if even for a short time. Her loss will be deeply felt but I’m sure she left with you many wonderful memories to ease your hearts. Warmest condolences from my family to yours.