It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Yvonne Ashley Galiber, 62, of Christiansted, St. Croix, on May 28, 2025, after years of gracefully and courageously battling breast cancer. Yvonne was born on May 6, 1963, to Fred (Sr) and Elsie May Ashley in Norwalk, Connecticut. After graduating from Norwalk High School in 1981, she pursued a degree in Communications and English at Bennett College in Greensboro, North Carolina. Following her graduation, she worked in research, customer service, and human resources, providing management support across various settings.
On November 26, 1991, Yvonne reconnected with Dante, and they shared a rekindled moment of friendship when she met him at his departure gate at JFK Airport. They spoke for hours before his connecting flight back to Indiana after he completed his 6-week residency rotation in Eldoret, Kenya. However, their love story truly began more than eleven years before that airport meet-cute moment in 1991. Yvonne first met Dante after his sister, Cecile, who had met Yvonne at an all-girls summer camp in New Hampshire in 1976, invited Yvonne to St. Croix in the spring of 1980. Between 1980 and 1996, Yvonne and Dante became good friends, got engaged in 1993, married on October 23, 1993, at the First Congregational Church in Norwalk, Connecticut, and welcomed their daughter, Dominique Ashley, the jewel of Yvonne’s crown and the apple of Dante’s eye, into the world in 1996.
In 2007, Yvonne founded and served as the President of the Yvonne Ashley Galiber (YAGF) Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. Her establishment of YAGF stemmed from her observation and concern for those less fortunate than herself while receiving breast cancer care in 2005. She observed that some patients lacked a supportive network of family and friends to help alleviate the burdens of treatment and financial difficulties. She noted that some patients lacked a supportive family and friend network to lessen the burden of treatment and financial hardship. Her new purpose in life, which she approached with a can-do spirit that captivated the St. Croix community with commitment and eagerness, was to assist her fellow Virgin Islanders suffering from breast cancer.
YAGF, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is dedicated to educating the Virgin Islands community about breast cancer risk factors and advocating for those affected by the disease. Its mission includes providing financial assistance for breast cancer screenings, diagnostic mammograms, breast biopsies, and other essential support services to the medically underserved and uninsured. YAGF creates a caring environment through support groups and various activities by building strong relationships with clients, their families, and caregivers to uplift and encourage them throughout their cancer journeys. As a former survivor of both breast and thyroid cancer, she recognized that many women and men have limited resources for various treatments and support options due to their modest financial means. Deeply committed to establishing a nonprofit foundation, she has worked to assist those most in need within the community and has raised considerable funds through various fundraising events to support this cause. She has received numerous awards and accolades for her fight against breast cancer.
Yvonne was predeceased by her mother, Elsie May, in 2015, and her father, Fred, in 2018. She is survived by her husband of 32 years, Dr. Dante P. Galiber; her daughter, Dominique Ashley Galiber; her brother, Fred Jr.; her sister, Lorraine Wilkinson; her brothers-in-law, Chip Hammonds, Dr. Andre A. Galiber Jr. (Elizabeth), Dr. Angelo K. Galiber Sr. (Nadalie), Marcel L. Galiber (Wilma); and her sisters-in-law, Lorraine Gundel and Cecile R. Galiber de Jongh (John Jr.). Yvonne also leaves behind a grieving circle of relatives, including numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and countless friends.
Yvonne was a vibrant, beautiful soul with a tremendous personality who knew no strangers. She left a lasting impact on the lives of everyone she interacted with. Courageous, inspirational, kind, and loving, she radiated joy and friendship and was a firecracker with a wicked sense of humor. Despite facing many health challenges, she lived her life to the fullest. Journeying to places near and far, she embraced the joys of life and always took time to smell the roses. Yvonne loved the Virgin Islands, especially St. Croix. She wasted no time in making St. Croix her home—a place to raise her daughter. She adored her dogs, especially Jax, and had a special affinity for the beautiful beaches of the Virgin Islands, where she would spend many days with her husband, daughter, and close friends. Her greatest delights and accomplishments were the love and care of her husband, Dante, the gift of being a mother to Dominique, and her ability and willingness to help others in need.
A celebration of life will be held on St. Croix later this month. In Yvonne’s memory, donations may be made payable to the YAG Foundation, Inc. (www.yagfoundation.org) or by mailing a check to P.O. Box 356, Christiansted, VI 00821.
