Tova YEDLIN

YEDLIN, Tova
An indomitable spirit left this world on Sunday afternoon. Tova Yedlin, nee Gampel, slipped away after lunch. Her children, Matthew (Gailanne) and Deborah (Martin) and four grandsons - Benjamin, Michael, Alexander and Daniel - mourn her passing. Tova was predeceased by her beloved husband, Moshe Yedlin, her parents, Chaim and Batsheva Gampel and siblings, Monik and Sarah. Tova embodied the Churchillian ethos of never giving in and never giving up; she didn't take no for answer nor did she suffer fools gladly. She was an extraordinary woman whose life intersected the defining events of the 20th century. It was a life marked by both loss and achievement and included a remarkable adventure that took her from war-torn Poland to Russia and on to Israel and finally Canada. Arriving with Matthew in Montreal in 1950 and later joined by Moshe, the family found their way to Edmonton where Tova began her studies at the University of Alberta in her seventh language - English. She completed her B.Ed, M.A., had her daughter, Deborah in 1961 and was awarded her PhD. in Russian history 1968. In 1975 Tova became the eighth women who received a tenure appointment at the University of Alberta. She retired as Professor Emerita in 1996, publishing several books throughout her career. She was unfailingly proud and a fiercely passionate intellectual with a love of learning that saw her take on the task of travelling to Italy to study Italian in her mid-80s. Tova was a force to be reckoned with and a trailblazer in many respects - most especially with respect to breaking down barriers for women in the workplace and setting an example for working mothers. Throughout her more than 30 years of teaching at the University of Alberta she inspired many students and was thrilled when she could intellectually engage with her grandsons. Tata - which is what her grandsons called her - was very proud of her children's accomplishments and loved watching her grandsons grow to adulthood. She will be missed by all of us. Funeral services will take place on Tuesday at 1:30pm in Edmonton at the Chevra Kadisha - 7622-101 Avenue. Due to the High Holidays, there will be no Shiva. In lieu of flowers, we invite you to donate to The Tova Yedlin Memorial Fund, supporting important research at the Weizmann Institute of Science. Call 1-800-387-3894 or online at Weizmann.ca. The family would like to thank Denise Marie-Foch, Patti Wilson, Emily Conde, the staff at Maison Senior Living and Dr. Lois Milne for their care and attention to Tova in her final years.