Yvonne Fitzgerald Ortel

Yvonne F. Ortel 54, of Denver, NC, passed away on August 10, 2024 after a 2 ½ year battle with metastatic breast cancer.

Yvonne was born on October 6, 1969 to Brian and Pauline Fitzgerald in Derby, England. After emigrating to Woodstock, Ontario Canada in 1973 Yvonne graduated from the University of Windsor in 1992 with a degree in Nursing. She then moved to Charlotte, North Carolina in 1992 to become a Registered Nurse for then Carolinas Healthcare System. After practicing as Cardiac Nurse and Primary Care Nurse, Yvonne then fulfilled her life-long dream of being a Certified Diabetic Educator (RN CDE) on September 15, 2020.

In the summer of 1994, she met her future husband Dan Ortel and they were married on June 27,1998. Yvonne and Dan most recently celebrated their 26-year anniversary together and were able to visit their honeymoon oasis again in St. Lucia last year. Yvonne’s two children Matthew recently graduated from ECU with an MBA in Business in July 2023, and Megan recently graduated from the University of North Carolina in May of 2024. Yvonne was very proud of her two children.

Shortly after moving into their new home at Lake Norman in December of 2021 Yvonne was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) in February of 2022. In the ensuing months and through countless treatments, tests, and scans every 90 days she maintained optimism and kept the faith the best she could. Yvonne was a FIGHTER! She was determined not to let cancer beat her, especially after battling Juvenile Diabetes for the last 41 years of her life. In her own words ‘Diabetes was a walk in the park’ compared to Cancer. Yvonne’s attitude was INSPIRATIONAL. She epitomized the Keep Pounding mantra as she pushed through the never-ending treatments, and their many side effects.

Yvonne decided it was time for an expedited early retirement plan to create family memories. Though Yvonne did not have the time she expected to have, she was determined to leave a legacy of strength, and to make the most of a bad situation. ‘Live life to the fullest’ she said, ‘because tomorrow is never promised’. Every time she went to infusion, or the countless follow-up treatments the nurses and doctors were always surprised and excited to hear where she was going next. She was amazing, and never complained. The care team told her that she was an example of how someone should embrace life. Yvonne was not the kind of person to feel sorry for herself and she was determined to live her best life while she could. She was always more concerned about the people around her even though she was suffering more each day.

She had a beautiful warm captivating smile, a positive attitude, and compassion for others. An energy that was contagious while undergoing the most rigorous chemo treatments. Yvonne & Dan grew ever closer over the years as the kids left the nest, and they gained a level of respect and love for each other they had never experienced before. It did not seem fair that as a healthcare giver, an RN – a cardiac nurse, care giver, and a Diabetes Educator that had helped countless people over the last 32 years should be taken from all of us so soon. Unfortunately, Cancer doesn’t really care – it is cold, thoughtless, and relentless disease that robs the body of everything good. Remission never occurred for her even after 6 different chemo treatments that included clinical trials.

So, it makes us incredibly sad and pains us to say that Yvonne lost her battle with Cancer on Saturday August 10, 2024, at 4:24pm surrounded by our family. She is survived by and will forever be missed by her Husband Daniel (61), Son Matthew (24) Daughter Megan (22) Her parents Brian & Pauline Fitzgerald and her younger brother Rob Fitzgerald, and the many others she touched. Rest in Peace our Dear Yvonne. You are Free at Last! WE LOVE YOU! We know you are smiling down upon us, and your spirit lives with us eternally.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, August 24, 2024, from 1:00PM to 2:00PM at Denver United Methodist Church; 3910 N Highway 16 Denver, NC 28037. A Celebration of Life service will begin at 2:00PM.

In Lieu of Flowers a donation can be made to the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation in honor of Yvonne’s strength and perseverance. Please join us in supporting the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation: Yvonne Donation Link