With deep love and sorrow, we announce the passing of Yvonne Fox (Rushton) on Sunday, August 10, 2025, at the age of 83. Born in Truro, Nova Scotia on January 6, 1942, Yvonne was the eldest daughter of Mona (MacKay) and Layton Rushton. Yvonne lived a life devoted to her family and service to her community.

After graduating from Colchester County Academy and the Provincial Normal College, Yvonne began a teaching career in Kentville, NS in 1960. It was during this time she met Robert A. Fox, whom she married in 1964. Together they raised their two children, Derrick and Michelle, in Port Hastings. Yvonne balanced family life with helping to manage the family businesses (Norvon Enterprises and Tilden car rental) and contributing to the Strait area community.

'You grow where you're planted' was her motto, and so Yvonne became an active member of the community through volunteer work that spanned decades and included leading roles with the Port Hastings Historical Society and St. David's Church. She was the first curator of the Port Hastings Museum & Archives, helping to restore local cemeteries, and spent many summer evenings co-hosting Ceilidhs for busloads of visitors to the Strait area. She was also an active member of Eastern Star and the Strait Area Chamber of Commerce.

Community work widened her circle of friends and acquaintances through the years and earned her the recognition of Citizen of the Year 1978. She and her husband Robert were also recognized for their business and community contributions with the Jack Hartery Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009.

Robert and Yvonne were avid travelers. They explored Canada and the US, coast to coast and mostly by car, visiting friends, family, and countless museums along the way. They took a family trip to England and Germany when Derrick and Michelle were young, and then Ireland in their later years. But Robert loved a good road trip with his trusty co-pilot Yvonne at his side. In 2017 they flew West to Prince George, BC with the Cape Breton West Islander team and families to watch the young men win the national hockey championship, the Telus Cup.

Above all, Yvonne treasured her role as a mother and grandmother. She was endlessly supportive, creative, and present in the lives of her children and three beloved grandchildren, sewing costumes, helping with homework, providing rides to and from their activities, always with love and deep pride in their accomplishments. Her grandchildren were the greatest loves of her life.

Yvonne is survived by her children, Derrick (Loretta) and Michelle (Craig Hopkins); grandchildren, Jessica, Allie, and Stephen; sisters, Donna Rushton and Darlene Campbell. She is predeceased by her sister, Judy Fraser and husband, Robert. The family is comforted that Yvonne and Robert are reunited, once again.

The Fox family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the Alongside Support carers, Miriam Ibrahim Omolayo and Blessing Oby Onwubuoya, and wonderful doctors and nursing staff at St. Martha's Regional Hospital that took great care of Yvonne and family during her final days. We would also like to thank her friend, Roy MacKinnon, for his support and friendship, particularly over the past few years.

Visitation will be from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Thursday in Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, Port Hawkesbury. Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday from St. David's United Church, Port Hastings with Sandi Irving DLM officiating. Burial will follow in St. David's Cemetery, Port Hastings. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Strait Area Museum (contact Straitareamuseum@gmail.com) or St. Martha's Palliative Care Unit. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at www.haverstocks.com