Yvonne Mary Ackourey, 86, of Forty Fort, entered eternal life on Thursday evening, August 28, 2025, surrounded by her family whom she loved so deeply, under the compassionate care of the nurses at Hospice of the Sacred Heart Inpatient Unit, Dunmore.

She was the devoted wife of the late Richard C. “Dick” Ackourey, with whom she shared nearly 41 wonderful years of marriage before his passing on June 4, 2001.

Born on July 17, 1939, in Philadelphia, Yvonne was one of five children of the late Joseph P. Zaidan and Emaline Karam Zaidan. Yvonne was a graduate of the former Hallahan Catholic Girls High School, Philadelphia.

Yvonne, the daughter of immigrants, was raised in a close-knit family rich in Lebanese traditions. She took pride in both her Lebanese heritage and her American upbringing. Her love for America was instilled from a young age, and her patriotism was evident in her deep respect for the American flag. Always there to help her family and friends, Yvonne’s magnetic personality, great sense of humor, and selfless demeanor were among her most endearing qualities.

Yvonne worked for many years as a receptionist and secretary in the Central Office of the Wyoming Valley West School District, where her warmth and kindness touched the lives of many. A devout Catholic, she was a faithful parishioner of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Swoyersville, drawing strength and guidance from her faith throughout her life.

Family was Yvonne’s greatest joy and her life’s purpose. She devoted herself entirely to those she loved. Her home was a true reflection of her heart – decorated for every season and filled with warmth, laughter, and the aroma of traditional Lebanese dishes she lovingly prepared for family gatherings. Her dining room was the heart of those celebrations, while her front porch was her signature—a welcoming space where she greeted friends, neighbors, and loved ones with open arms and a radiant smile.

Creative and full of life, Yvonne had a gift for turning the ordinary into something extraordinary. She found joy in writing poetry, crafting wreaths, and designing seasonal décor—often making gifts for others, each one a piece of her heart.

To know Yvonne was to experience unconditional love, unwavering strength, and a magnetic spirit that drew others near. From holidays and birthdays to every milestone, she made her loved ones feel celebrated and cherished. Though her physical presence will be deeply missed, the love she gave so generously will live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know her. Her family will forever treasure the countless memories, the traditions she passed down, and the immeasurable devotion she showed each and every day.

In addition to her parents, Joseph and Emaline Zaidan, and her husband, Richard, Yvonne was preceded in death by her cherished daughter, Evie M. Stefanides, who passed away on May 24, 2024; her brothers, Peter and John Zaidan; and her sisters, Julia Ann McDermit and Diane Dahdah.

Left to cherish her memory are her five loving sons, Richard Ackourey Jr. and his wife, Marta, Richboro; Joseph Ackourey, Dallas; Daniel Ackourey and his wife, Margie, Dallas; John Ackourey and his wife, Christina, West Pittston; and Peter Ackourey and his wife, Jen, Mountaintop; her son-in-law, Robert Stefanides, Forty Fort; her grandchildren, Richard Ackourey III; Arianna Ackourey; Kristian Stefanides Loomis and her husband, Tyler; Alle Stefanides Staskiel and her husband, Dave; Benjamin Ackourey; Evonna Ackourey; Emma Ackourey; Erika Pyser and Sydney Kramer; generations of nieces and nephews; as well as her faithful canine companion, Willow.

Relatives and Friends are respectfully invited to attend Yvonne’s viewing which will be held on Thursday, September 04, 2025, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, at the Wroblewski Funeral Home, Inc., 1442 Wyoming Avenue, Forty Fort, where Funeral Services will begin on Friday, September 05, 2025, at 10:00 AM, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:30 AM in Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, 116 Hughes Street, Swoyersville, with the Reverend Father John J. Chmil, her Pastor, officiating.

Interment with the Rite of Committal will follow in Mount Olivet Roman Catholic Cemetery, Carverton section of Kingston Township.

To share a memory of Yvonne or message of condolence with her family, you may visit the funeral home website, www.wroblewskifuneralhome.com, or Facebook page.

Memorial contributions may be made in Yvonne’s memory to Hospice of the Sacred Heart, 30 E.D. Preate Drive, Suite 108, Moosic, PA 18507, and/or to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

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