BANGOR – Yvonne P. Ciarrocchi, 85, died Nov. 6, 2010, at a Bangor hospital after a determined, courageous struggle with cancer. Yvonne was born June 11, 1925, in Penarth, Wales, daughter of Daniel Paul and Rosalind Maud Elmer. Yvonne grew up in Cardiff, Wales, where at age 16, she was the youngest Civil Defense volunteer in the city. With her dog, Judy, our mother would search for, and aided, victims and survivors of the continuous air raid bombing of the city during World War II. Yvonne met her future husband, Robert J. Ciarrocchi, a U.S. Army soldier, during the war. They married July 3, 1945, in Cardiff, Wales. They moved to Maine in 1947, eventually settling in Lincoln, where they lived for the next 52 years. Always the entrepreneur, Yvonne owned and operated Tanglewood Kennels, Lincoln, for more than 30 years. Eventually the business grew to be the largest kennel in Maine. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals were so impressed with Yvonne’s knowledge and care of animals that they worked closely with her for many years, bringing troubled and abused dogs to her that would otherwise have faced euthanasia; instead, were rehabilitated into loving family pets. Yvonne’s passion for saving animals always took first consideration over profit, sometimes keeping dogs for years before finally selling them. To fill the income gap, Yvonne very successfully sold Sarah Coventry Jewelry, Tupperware, Beeline Fashions and Avon, winning multiple awards for her marketing skills in all four brands. In addition to these occupations, Yvonne derived income as an accomplished embroiderer, knitter, sewer and painter. In later years, after retiring from the kennel business, Yvonne and her husband, Robert, focused all of their energies into a successful business of buying, renovating and selling residential homes. After their successful real estate ventures, Yvonne and Robert returned to Cardiff, Wales, where they lived from 1999 to 2004, moving back in mid-2004 to the Bangor area. Yvonne was an avid gardener and interior decorator. A lover of classical music, opera and various European folk music, she was a talented piano player. She has left the family with a variety of beautiful embroidery, paintings, drawings and other art works. Even with her fight against cancer, Yvonne felt it important to stay abreast of the politics and other news. She kept her mind sharp by doing puzzles, having a special fondness for crossword puzzles. Yvonne was predeceased by her husband, Robert J. Ciarrocchi, May 21, 2005. Yvonne is survived by her two sons, Peter of Bangor, and Paul and his wife, Teri, of Holden; two granddaughters, Amee Ciarrocchi of Chicago, and Heather Ippolito and her husband, Jim, of Homeward, Ill.; three great-grandchildren, Tessa Ippolito, Joey Ippolito and Noah Ippolito; several nieces and nephews in Wales; and her beloved friend, her basset hound, Lexi. A private graveside service will be held at Lakeview Cemetery, Hampden. To honor Yvonne’s lifelong love of animals, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bangor Humane Society, 693B Mount Hope Ave., Bangor, ME 04401. A service of Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.
YVONNE P. CIARROCCHI
