Obituary of Avaleigh Ruth Yelen

Avaleigh Ruth Yelen (nee. Balogh, Deacon) passed peacefully in London, Ontario after a long—and, for a good stretch of time, successful—battle with lung disease.

Ave was known for a great sense of humour, intelligence, and inquisitiveness. She strove to improve herself intellectually, attending both Western University and Fanshawe College, where she received a Diploma in Library Studies. She was a voluminous reader, favouring the classics but also enjoying more modern epics. Ave was a fan of everything Disney, spending many of her happiest moments at Walt Disney World during her frequent family excursions there.

Many of us who will remember Avaleigh will recall the numerous pets, mostly cats but also several dogs, that she rescued. In one especially heroic deed, she dropped everything to drive down to the middle of Ohio to rescue two dogs who were to be euthanized that day. One of them, Randall, survives her. We all recall Chippers, an injured chipmunk Ave rescued and who lived an astonishing 12 years as her pet.

Ave's main legacy is her family, whom she has loved intensely. She leaves behind her two daughters, Carrie (Vladimir) and Mandie (Dan), her grandchildren (Shaeleigh (Phillip), Ryan, Brady, and Mateja), and her brother, Joseph, of Edmonton. She is survived by Larry, her adoring husband of almost 27 years. She is preceded in death by her husband, Gary Deacon (d. 1984), and by her brother, Sandor (d. 2016). She also leaves behind seven cats and two dogs.

Avaleigh, we will always carry you in our hearts and thoughts. You certainly made your mark. Ave wishes to be remembered by her special friends at LHSC.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to one of the charities Ave supported; consider the Soi Dog Foundation (https://www.soidog.org/content/make-donation) or the International Fund for Animal Welfare (https://secure.ifaw.org/).