ALLEN, Evelyn
Our beloved mother and grandmother, passed away suddenly in her sleep on December 16th, 2010 at Penticton Regional Hospital at 88 years of age.
Evelyn, the eldest of five children was born in Minitonas, Manitoba on February 6th, 1922. Later her family moved to the Lloydminster area on the Alberta/Saskatchewan border. Evelyn attended school in this rural area and met John Allen in Hillmond, Saskatchewan. They married March 4th, 1939. They headed north to Glendon, Alberta on a gifted wagon and a team of horses. Shortly after building their homestead WWII broke out. John joined the Canadian Forces, while Evelyn moved to Edmonton to live with her mother-in-law. There she awaited the arrival of her first born, a son, Larry.
Evelyn later moved west to join her grandparents in Haney, B.C. When John returned from the war they bought a small V.L.A. acreage in Haney. John found full-time employment at a government Correctional Institute.
Having moved often as a child, Evelyn vowed to never move her own children from place to place. She vowed her children would never be hungry or cold, as she had in her own childhood. For 50 years Evelyn and her family lived on their small farm. Her life revolved around: raising her six children, as well as a few others; raising every type of animal she could, and growing a huge vegetable garden. Evelyn kept her promise, her children were well fed, warm and had a permanent home. At age 70 Evelyn bought an orchard in Keremeos, B.C. She loved trees and wanted a home surrounded by their beauty. This move brought many new friends and acquaintances into her life. Evelyn was a gracious hostess, an exceptional listener, a great story teller and had a genuine and sincere smile. Her laugh could brighten the darkest day. With heavy hearts and great sorrow we, her family, mourn the passing of Evelyn: mother, grandmother, lady in the true sense of the word and, of course, the family matriarch. Sons: Larry (aka: Uncle Uggie, Gung or Lar) of Keremeos; Ronnie (Sandy) of Prince George; and Bobby (Tammy) of Mission. Daughters: Barb of Keremeos and Sue of Cawston. Six wonderful grandchildren: Genevieve (Ethan) of Indianapolis, Indiana; Amanda & Kevin of Haney; Bryon of 100 Mile House; Kimberly of Cawston and Jesse of Mission. Evelyn was predeceased by her husband, John (2004) and her son Donnie (1996).
Please join us for a celebration of Evelyn's life at Victory Hall, 427-7th Ave., Main Street, Keremeos on Saturday, January 8th, 2011 at 1:30pm.