EVELYN RAWLUK

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EVELYN (EVY) RAWLUK It is with great sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of Evelyn (Evy) Rawluk, aged 62, on July 3, 2016. Evy was born on April 15, 1954, in Gypsumville, Manitoba to Alex and Dorothy Rawluk. On the day she came into the world, the road to Ashern was impassable due to flooding. The nurse delivered Ev at home. Evy attended Gypsumville School from Grades 1 to 12 and then took a course at Success Business College in Winnipeg. One of her first jobs was as a secretary for Morden and Helwig in Winnipeg. Evy was an avid reader and learner. She especially loved reading the classics such as Hemmingway and Tolstoy. After several years of working, she decided to go back to school to the University of Manitoba, where she achieved a Bachelor of Arts degree. Most recently Evy worked for Winnipeg School Division as a casual clerk. She was also working with Data Probe as a supervisor in the call center. Ev's travels took her to the Caribbean, California, New Orleans, New York, Paris, Mexico and across Canada. She also enjoyed holidaying in Clear Lake with her family. She especially loved French culture and took French language lessons as an adult. She enjoyed her trips to Quebec City and Montreal and had a good laugh at how no one could understand her attempts at the language. She finally just stuck with bonjour and au revoir. Although Ev was raised in a teeny, tiny town, she quickly became a city girl. She was very proud of her city and all that it had to offer. Anyone visiting her from out of town might have been treated to a trip to the Forks or a walk through Assiniboine Park or Osborne Village, especially if it was her nieces or nephews. Ev loved to try different restaurants and often met family or friends at places they had never tried before, particularly Thai, Chinese or Indian cuisine. One of her favorite places to meet and hang out though was Stella's Café. Her love of arts and culture took Ev to many events at the Manitoba Theatre Centre, Fringe Festival, the symphony, and the opera. She liked to go to the smaller cinemas offering international titles and the low budget films and documentaries. Evy was blessed with a great sense of humour. She had little sayings and mannerisms that could make anyone smile or laugh. She enjoyed hearing stories about the funny things children said and did. She also got a kick out of watching funny animal videos, particularly about cats. Ev loved cats, especially her beautiful Nina. It's very possible that Nina isn't totally aware that she is a cat as Ev talked to her and treated her like she would another person. Like all of us, Nina is going to miss Evy very much. If there is one thing Evy was, it was independent. She made her own decisions and lived by them. If ever questioned, she could always provide an explanation as to why she made the decision she made. She loved a good spirited "discussion", was knowledgeable and kept up to date on politics, current events, and local issues. Her firm beliefs about certain topics would often leave her opponents in discussions, having to settle with agreeing to disagree. Evy loved being out in nature. She was a runner, cyclist and hiker. She liked to keep in shape and made sure exercise was a part of her regular routine. She liked going for walks and getting fresh air. Ev had many friends to accompany her on these activities. Evy adored her nieces and nephews, especially the newest little grand-nieces and nephews. She preferred to spend one on one time with them, often getting on the floor or playing outside with them. She preferred smaller family gatherings where she could interact with people more personally. Ev was a people person, but she also liked her alone time. Ev was very honest and genuine. She never tried to be someone she wasn't. When she voiced her opinion, she sometimes told people the things they didn't necessarily want to hear. She was respected by everyone for her candor. She liked the simple things in life and was not one for "fancy shmancy". Her preference for clothing was casual and comfortable, often a white t-shirt and cotton pants. She had a style uniquely her own. In keeping with Evy's style, casual dress is requested at her celebration of life. There are no words to describe how much we will miss our Evy. Evy leaves behind to cherish her memory her mother Dorothy, siblings, Warren (Louise) Rawluk, Norma Burrows, Cal (Donna) Rawluk, and Millie (Dale) Meyer, nieces and nephews, Teresa, Chris (Danlin), Holly (Norm), Ben (Ashley), Jennifer (Dave), Breanne (Pawel), Ashley (Justin), Jeff (Beth), Brad (Molly), Scott (Erin), and Chantelle (Steve), great-nieces and nephews, Danielle, Evan, Hannah, Matthew, Madeline, Kai, Tanas, Evelina, Conway, Alex, Samuel, Sadie, Minau, Blake, Riel, Mats, Gabriel, and Samuel. Evy was predeceased by her father Alex Rawluk, granny Evelyn McCurdy, and brother-in-law Donald Burrows. A celebration of Evy's life will be held on Monday, July 11, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at Neil Bardal Funeral Centre, 3030 Notre Dame Ave., Winnipeg, Manitoba. A private family interment will follow at a later date. The family would like to express a special thanks to the staff at the Health Sciences Centre Emergency and ICU and Transplant Manitoba Gift of Life for their care and compassion. Also thank you to all of Ev's dear friends for your support and kind words. We know you are suffering as we are. In lieu of flowers, monetary donations may be made to the Manitoba Heart and Stroke Foundation, Transplant Manitoba Gift of Life, the Winnipeg Humane Society or a charity of your choice. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 09, 2016