NORWAY — Yvonne DeShon Whittemore, 76, of South Paris passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at Stephens Memorial Hospital on Saturday, March 31.

Yvonne was born in Bryant Pond July 25, 1935. She attended school in Bryant Pond and at the age of 16 began working at the Norway shoe shop.

She met Willis Whittemore at the Norway Inn in 1952. She would later marry her beloved Willis in a double ceremony that included her brother Eugene and his wife, Gerry, on New Year’s Eve 1952.

Yvonne would go on to become the devoted mother of five sons and one daughter. However, everyone who knew her would say she was a mom to anyone who walked through her kitchen door.

She was a hardworker her whole life, first spending 16 years at Norway shoe shop and later running On the Hill Ceramics with her husband, Willis. She enjoyed crafting of every kind, but the thing that she loved the most was spending time with her family. Yvonne was not just the matriarch of the household, she was a beautiful and gentle soul who will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend.

She is survived by her loving husband of 59 years, Willis Whittemore, and brother, Eugene DeShon and his wife, Gerry; her five sons, Duffy Whittemore and wife, Rhonda, Dennis Whittemore and wife, Diane, Dana Whittemore and wife, Lorie, Danny Whittemore and wife, Barbara, and Melvin Whittemore and wife, Abby; her daughter, Cynthia Scott and husband, Jody.

She left behind 10 grandchildren, Desiree Dessureault, Dennis Whittemore Jr., Aimee and Aly McKeen, Bruce Whittemore, DJ Whittemore, Maggie Whittemore and Kelly Whittemore; and her two great-grandchildren, Gracie and Jacquae Herring.

Yvonne was predeceased by her parents, Stanly and Rita DeShon; her sister, Marilyn Osbourn; and brother Charles DeShon.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.chandlerfunerals.com.