Memorial
Heaven gained a beautiful angel but left a lasting impression on our lives. We called her “MOM” but she was truly and “Angel on Earth.”
Yvonne Barbara (Shaheen) Hidder, of Cedar Rapids, passed away peacefully Monday, July 27, 2020 surrounded by her adoring six children at the age of 89.
Yvonne was born on February 13, 1931 in Conger, Minnesota to Tom and Sophie Shaheen and later moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 1933 where she grew up with her six siblings, met her husband and raised a family. Yvonne graduated from McKinley High School in 1949 where she was a powerful soprano in the school acapella choir. After graduation, she worked at her family’s grocery store until she married the love of her life Joe Hidder on June 8th, 1958.
While raising her 6 children, Yvonne also worked alongside her husband at their family owned restaurant Joey’s Drive Inn for 33 years. After they sold their business and still full of energy, Yvonne went to work for Drug Town for another 27 years until the age of 80! She greeted everyone with a smile, loved visiting with her customers and genuinely cared for others.
She was a faithful, lifelong member of St. George Orthodox Church. She loved her church, her faith and serving God as an active member of the Ladies Club, Agape Seniors group, baking for the annual bake sale as well as a proud member of the church choir for over 60 years. How she loved to sing and we loved to hear her hit those high notes.
She was also very active in all of her children’s school and sports activities as a brownie leader, homeroom mom, team mom and the Washington High School Athletic Club. She also loved to host big parties, playing family games (never following the rules), watching figure skating on TV and roller skating.
Though she was always very humble, never needing attention, Yvonne had many talents; glorious singer, outstanding cook, especially Lebanese dishes and custom themed birthday cakes, talented seamstress including making many homemade Halloween costumes and master Christmas tree decorator with up to 8 trees each year in her home.
We feel very blessed to call her Mom, Grandmother, Sister, Aunt, Godmother, co-worker and friend. She will be remembered her smile, warmth, energy, love of family, and how she made a difference in the lives she touched. Yvonne was a “one of a kind “human being; talented, kind, unselfish, genuine and loving especially for her husband Joe, 6 children, 11 grandchildren, one great granddaughter, 5 Godchildren, her church and her friends.
Her life lessons:
God has given us empathy for others and to serve Him
Always remember the importance of kindness, forgiveness, do the right thing, always do your best
Faith and Family first… and wear lipstick before you leave the house
She was proceeded in death by her husband of nearly 60 years, Joe, grandson Jackson, her Shaheen brothers, and her many in-laws.
A Visitation will be held from 4-7pm on Friday, July 31st at Cedar Memorial Funeral Home. Trisagion service will be held at 7:00 p.m. As mandated by proclamation, social distancing must be practiced which requires a limited number of people to be allowed into the visitation at one time. The use of facemasks or shields is encouraged. Private service and burial at St. George Orthodox Church and Cemetery. A livestream of the service can be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/stgeorgecr/
We are grateful for the staff at Emery Place, and Hospice House, for taking great care of our parents.
She is survived by her six children: Eddie Hidder, Michele (Chris) Duggan, Joseph (Susan) Hidder, Darran Hidder (Ellen), Denise (Tim) Kelly, Denelle (Robin) Robinson; eleven grandchildren, Patrick (Carissa), Kyle, Kelsey, Justin, Jensen, Parker, Sophia, Rourke, Brady, Reese, and Joey. One great child Charlotte Shea, and her sister Delores Haddy.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Yvonne’s memory.