Evelyn Smith

EVELYN EDNA SMITH (BALES)

Sept. 19, 1920 – SEPT. 22, 2022

With heavy hearts, Shelby Hanuschuk and Sharon Jensen announce the passing of their mother, Evelyn Smith,  at Luther Home, attended by her very kind caregivers.

Evelyn (“Gram”) was predeceased by her husband Murray Smith of Transcona (1984), parents Henry Bales(1960) and Bertha Bales (1958) of Anola, father-in-law Vinamburgh Smith (1942), mother-in-law Jessie Smith, (1974), son-in-law David Jensen (1994), granddaughters Marilyn Jensen (1991) and Brenda Jensen (2000),  all from Transcona.  She was predeceased by her three sisters Mildred  Garner, Helen  Hadaller, Marion Rogers, and five brothers Eugene, Ralph, Hugh, Kenneth, and Harold Bales, also sisters-in-law Carrie  Dowbyhuz (Bill), Utive  Davenport (Phillip), nephews Burton Garner, Vernon and Barry Rogers, Mervin Bales, and niece Marlene Hadaller LaPointe.

Mom is survived by her Hanuschuk Grandchildren: Mark (Karen), Michael  (Christeen), Nick  (Lisa Funk), Kenneth (Faye),  Kirk (Leanne), and her Jensen Grandchildren: Evelyn Penner, Murray, and Trent  (Diane).

Also, surviving Mom are her Hanuschuk Great-Grandchildren: Justin, Kalyn Kraj (Greg), Emily, Anna Wood (Mark), Claire, Jessica  (Dale), Jacob,  Rebecca (Landen), Peter, Christopher (Caitlyn), Danial, David, Kory, Kole, Dana Otto (Tristan), Ryan (Gillian), Devin, and Jensen Great-Grandchildren: Jared  (Charlotte), Joel, Jesse (Jessica), Krystal, Kelly, Tyler, Tanissa, Jason, and Keshia.

Surviving her are 22 Great-Great-Grandchildren.

In addition, Mom has several surviving nieces and nephews: Cindy Bales Mitchell (Ken), Gail Garner Delisle (Ed), Bonnie Dowbyhuz Books,  Geri Dowbyhuz Gottfried (Doug), Bill Dowbyhuz (Cathy), Janet Davenport Furlotte (Dave), and Derryk Davenport.

Mom was born in Fannystelle, Manitoba – the only one in her family who was a Canadian.  From Fannystelle she moved with her parents to Monominto, and then to Anola ( n.w.corner of Dugald Road and Hwy. # 12) when she was about 8 years old.  Mom walked to school 2 ½ miles every day, which was believed to be located at the junction of Briercliffe and Dugald  Roads.  While at this school she received a Certificate for “Excellence in Writing”, which we have saved and framed.

Mom eventually came from Anola to Transcona where she met and married Dad in 1937. Dad worked for the CN and spent 4 years overseas during WW II.  When he returned they made their home in a war-time house at 115 Melrose West (now 321) in 1947, along with their two daughters, Shelby & Sharon.   Dad went back to work for the CN and Mom took on various jobs – Woolco, Transcona News, Pasta’s Grocery, Perth’s, and cleaned the Transcona Legion.   With the exception of two or three years, she lived in that house until 2019.   When she was in her seventies and eighties, she started piano and ceramic lessons.  Many of her ceramic pieces, for which she earned awards, are still with us today.

Mom joined the Transcona Legion # 7 Ladies Auxiliary in 1974.  While a member there, she helped out in the kitchen when needed and looked after the organizing of funerals.  She earned a Certificate of Merit, and then a Life Membership in 1999.  These, too, have been framed.

In her younger years Mom did some travelling – to Winnitoba (riding many times on the old “local”); Missouri; California; Hawaii; to the farm in Vita; to the cottage in Beresford Lake; to Dogtooth, Rice Lake and Glencoe, Ontario; several times to Ottawa and Iqaluit, in Nunavut.  In 1969, she travelled with Dad to attend a military reunion overseas, visiting places where Dad had been in World War II -  England, Belgium, Holland and France.

In her later years, Mom liked to watch her favourite “game shows” on TV, play Bingo, do “word searches” and sometimes play cards with friends.  She also helped Dad with his jigsaw puzzles once in a while. 

She was quite healthy most of her life, having a strong heart, and overcame breast cancer around age 81, followed by a hernia operation at the age of 89.

When she moved to  Luther Home in 2019, she participated in Bingo and played other games provided there,  went to the chapel on Sundays, helped make cookies, etc., in the kitchen, and she enjoyed watching and listening to the entertainers that came into the Home often.  Mom celebrated her 100th,101st and 102nd birthdays there.

Our family wishes to thank the staff, nurses, and all workers at Luther Home for the excellent care “Gram” received in the 3 years she resided there.  Special thanks to Lynne, Jasmine, Charlene, Joel, Eddie, Katherine, Roy, the Aides, and all the kitchen people.

A Memorial for Evelyn will be held on November 10th, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at the Transcona Memorial United Church.

“Rest in Peace, Mom”

Transcona Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

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