Laurier mourns the passing of Yolanta Di Felice

Jan. 14, 2022

Wilfrid Laurier University is saddened by the passing of Yolanta Di Felice, an area manager with the university's Facilities and Asset Management team. Yolanta passed away on Jan. 11 following a battle with cancer. She was 60 years old.

Yolanta first joined Laurier as a custodian in January 2006 and during her career progressed to supervisory and management roles. In 2010, she became a lead hand custodian and in 2012 was promoted to the position of area manager within custodial services. In 2015, Yolanta became area manager of Laurier's Computerized Maintenance Management System.

Born in Grabowka, Poland, Yolanta immigrated to Canada with her family in 1977. She married the love of her life and best friend, Carmine Di Felice, in 1982, and together they raised three children, Michele, Carla and Daniela. Yolanta’s love and pride for her family was evident, as she would often share stories, memories and updates about her children and grandchildren.

Remembered as a dedicated employee with an outstanding work ethic, Yolanta’s ties to Laurier began with her mother, who also worked as a custodian at the university. Yolanta's husband, Carmine, also worked in Facilities and Asset Management and recently retired from Laurier.

Yolanta's friends and colleagues at Laurier felt her ongoing support through her many acts of kindness, encouragement, inspiration and constant willingness to help. Her hospitality and generosity will be remembered by all those who knew her.

Visitation will be held at Memory Gardens Funeral Home, 2723 Victoria St. N. in Breslau, on Jan. 13 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Jan. 14 at 10:30 a.m. Please contact the funeral home at 519-904-0400 to make a reservation if you plan on attending the visitation or funeral, as space will be limited.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Yolanta can be made to the Gord Downie Fund for Brain Cancer Research or a charity of your choice.