Obituary of Yvonne Kessels Bixby

Yvonne Bixby passed away on June 13, 2010 and has moved onto her next "Great Adventure". For many years Yvonne was a well known, independent business woman in Brevard County, Owner/CEO of "Yvonne's Travel" and Florida Travel Career School. Upon selling the travel agencies and school, Yvonne opened up Creative Meetings, Inc., where she handled groups and conventions. Yvonne had a lifetime of service to Brevard community and civic organizations. She was the first woman ever to be named to the Board of Directors and to serve as President of the South Brevard Chamber of Commerce. She was a member of the Tourist Development Council ("TDC"), served as its Chairman, represented the Arts and Film council and was honored with the Soloman Portrait of Excellence in Tourism Award. She was a member of the Henegar Center and served as its President. As a founding member of the Brevard Community Foundation she served as President and Chairman of the Board. She was also a founding member of Keep Brevard Beautiful and served as President. As a member of the American Cancer Society she served 2 terms as President and was honored with the "Sword of Hope" award. She was also a founding member of the Space Coast Tiger Bay Club and a member of the Civilian Military Council (CivMil). As current co-President of the Eau Gallie Rotary Club, she served two terms on the Board, and as the District Chairman of the Friendship Exchange. The "Yvonne Bixby Lifetime Award" for Community and Rotary Service was established in 2009 and will be awarded on a yearly basis. Yvonne was born October 17, 1936 in Lieshout, Netherlands to the late Anton Kessels and Yolanthe Poel. She was educated at the Gemeetelyk Lyceum in Eindhoven, and also studied in England, Germany, and France. She immigrated to the United States where she lived in Connecticut and Colorado, before moving to Brevard County in 1968. She was married to the late Franklin Beck, and is survived by her two daughters, Marilyn Beck and Gwendolyn Beck, her sister Eline Verburg, niece Monique and nephew Rudolph from the Netherlands, and beloved friend, Dan Starkey. The family wishes to thank Yvonne's many wonderful friends who helped her in her fight against breast cancer - "carry on with the battle". In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the South Brevard Women's Center, (Yvonne's Gals Helping Hands) 1425 Aurora RD, Melbourne, 32935; or to the Eau Gallie Rotary Club, "Yvonne Bixby Lifetime Award". A memorial service will be held at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 638 S. Patrick Dr., Satellite Beach, on Friday, June 18th at 4:00PM.