EVELYN SMITH

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EVELYN SMITH (nee BERBECIUK) Peacefully at Grace Hospice on April 19, 2016, Evelyn passed away at age 96. She is survived by son David (Cathy), son Doug (Kathy), daughter Jan (Liz), six grandchildren, Shannon, Michelle, Matthew, Paul (Erin), Paige (Rob), and Libby, great-grandsons, Dylan, Owen, great-granddaughters, Claire and Lucy, sister, Josephine Burtnyk, niece Judy Opp, nephew Don Burtnyk (Mari), and grandnephews Micky and Brian Burtnyk. Evelyn was born in Winnipeg on May 2, 1919 to Paul and Mary Berbeciuk. She grew up in Hodgson, Manitoba. As the daughter of a CNR railway worker, she lived in several northern Manitoba communities on the CNR main line. As a child she enjoyed music and played the organ, piano, violin, and mandolin. Her father, Paul, encouraged her from a young age, to go to university and study to be a teacher. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree (University of Winnipeg) and her Bachelor of Education degree (University of Manitoba). After a few years teaching in rural Manitoba, Evelyn spent 40 years teaching in Winnipeg School Division No. 1. She taught in Winnipeg at Norquay School for 10 years. For the next 30 years of her career, she was a reading clinician and an area supervisor with the Child Guidance Clinic of Winnipeg. Evelyn worked until she was 65. During her retirement, she enjoyed many trips to the cottage at Falcon Lake and to Arizona to visit her sister and family. Evelyn was an avid reader and bridge player and she loved her crosswords and jigsaw puzzles. Despite much teasing from her family, Evelyn remained a loyal fan of Ronny Lancaster and the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Evelyn's home was always the hub of family celebrations. She was very proud of her grandchildren and was thrilled to have had the chance to enjoy her time with her great-grandchildren. Evelyn and her family are especially grateful to Dr. J. Elkin, Sean from Palliative Care Manitoba, and the staff at Grace Hospice for their kind care and compassion. Cremation has taken place and a private family service will be held in June at Chapel Lawn. If desired, donations can be made to a charity of your choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 07, 2016