Evelyn MCKEE

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MCKEE: With great sadness the family of Evelyn Norah McKee announces her passing on August 27, 2013 at the age of 87. Born to William F. and Marjorie (nee Dapp) Chambers near Durban, Manitoba, on December 1, 1925, Mom grew up in the Swan River valley and attended Harlington School, completing high school by correspondence. After the Second World War she and older sister Isobel attended Normal School in Winnipeg. Mom taught at Makinak and Glenburney schools. While at Glenburney she met and later married a gentle ‘war vet.’ and local farmer, Allan McKee on October 10, 1949 at Kenville, MB. Mom kept busy being a farmer’s wife near Brookdale, raising 5 children, raising chickens, milking cows, singing in the church choir, leading 4-H meetings and UCW meetings, swimming, skating and curling. She enjoyed competing against her sisters exhibiting in summer fairs in the area, and we all enjoyed the picnics that followed. She was an avid sewer, making clothes for herself, her children and grandchildren, and innumerable quilts after moving into town. Mom and Dad moved into Neepawa in 1979, where she continued as a member of the choir and UCW, and leading 4-H. She was a founding member of the Tangled Threads Quilt Guild, a life member of the Beautiful Plains Ag Society, the Legion Auxiliary, and the Horticultural Society, and volunteered in numerous other capacities from baking and cooking to delivering flowers or books. Mom was an avid curler, curling in mixed and ladies leagues and bonspiels. On a number of occasions she curled in Senior Women’s and Golden Gals Provincial Championships. In 1996 Mom was presented with the Don Wood Memorial Award by the Kiwanis Club for her volunteer service to the community. There was always something on her knitting needles, a canvas waiting for a painting, and a stack of projects beside her sewing machine. Evelyn is survived by sons Brian (Leslee) of Brookdale and Lorne (Kim) of Brandon, and daughters Myrna (Doug) Pachal of Brandon, Diane (Dave) Shepherd of Brandon and Marlene (Ken) Hawke of Rangiora, New Zealand; by grandchildren Julia (Nathan) Fleck, Jarret McKee, Taryn Pachal, Karleen (Cory) Rankin, Norah Shepherd, Sarah (Jon) Alle, Lorne and Ellen Hawke, Brett and Haley McKee; by great grandchildren Morgan and Edie Fleck, Jackson and Brooklen Thomas and Bennett Rankin as well as sister-in-law Pat McKee. She was predeceased by loving husband of 61 years Allan McKee; brother George Chambers, sisters Isobel Kolesar, Elizabeth Chambers, and Florence Irvine and in-laws Marjorie Chambers, Fred Kolesar, Charlie Irvine, Robert and Margaret McKee, Mervin McKee, Verla and Johnny Kaston, Loretta and Orville Hume and Wilson McKee. Interment took place at Riverside Cemetery in Neepawa on Tuesday September 3, 2013. Urn bearer was Julia Fleck. A service to celebrate Evelyn’s life followed at Neepawa United Church, with Kristin Wood officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Evelyn may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, Unit 4-B – 457 - 9th Street, Brandon, MB, R7A 1K2, or to Country Meadows Personal Care Home, Neepawa, MB, R0J 1H0.We miss our Mom, We miss her everydayShe loved us, She guided usHands to sew for us, Hands to feed usHeart to comfort us, Heart to nurture usRest now, Rest with peace

As published in Brandon Sun on Sep 14, 2013