EVELYN ROSE MITCHELL (HRYHORCHUK)

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EVELYN ROSE MITCHELL (nee HRYHORCHUK) With spunk and spirit Evelyn Rose Mitchell (nee Hryhorchuk) lived a full life and with her daughter holding her hand she passed away peacefully on February 3, 2008 at the Grace Hospice. Evelyn is survived by her only child Cynthia (Curt), her beloved grandchildren Colby, Alyssa and Blake, her husband Howard, and her lifelong friend Mary Clements. She was predeceased by her mother, Maria Buckingham (1995) (Keith) and her father Dymtro Hryhorchuk (1982) (Ann), an older sister Anne, who died in infancy (1929), and her favourite Aunt Jean Loreth (2003). Evelyn was born June 2, 1931 in Winnipeg. She grew up in the North End and attended St. John's High School. Many happy months of her childhood were spent at her grandmother's farm in Ledwyn, MB. A lifelong friendship began when Evelyn met Mary Clements while working at the old CPR station soda fountain. As a young woman she worked several summers as a waitress in Banff, at her Dad's restaurant in Toronto, and as head waitress and Hostess at the Digby Pines Resort in Nova Scotia. This time in her life was full of fun and folly and deep down Mom was always a free spirit and lived that way to the last. Settling in Winnipeg, Evelyn established a career at Eaton's and was the top stenographer in the Sales and Expense office. She married Howard Mitchell in January 1960 and became a full time stay at home mom when Cynthia was born in 1967. Besides being a devoted and caring Mother, Evelyn's free spirit kept her active and busy. She was not good at everything but she was not afraid to try anything. Golf was something she loved to do and her score was really not important as long as she was getting off some really good drives as she would say and she did manage a hole in one, an accomplishment that not many can claim. She was a very good bowler and an excellent swimmer. In her free time she did some volunteer work for Meals on Wheels (25+ years) and secretarial work for the Humane Society which was high on her list because she was a dog lover, especially her own Chico, Casey and Roscoe. Evelyn loved to chat and as an ex-Avon lady and Real Estate agent (Royal LePage) she did more talking than selling. She enjoyed playing cards every Thursday with the Prendergast seniors gang and above all playing the slot machines with her pal Mary. She was a very good cook as was her mentor Mary and could prepare all the Ukrainian dishes, borscht, perogies, etc., we will miss them. In early retirement she enjoyed traveling through the Panama Canal with stops in South America, visiting nine countries in Europe, and several in Asia, including China, Thailand and Hong Kong. When her Dad was alive, she enjoyed weekend trips to Gimli with Cynthia and Casey. In the last few years, it was the little things she cherished most, coffee and a smoke in the morning, a good book, her grandchildren, time with Mary and Mary's daughter Kelly with whom she had a special relationship. Whether it was baking apple squares for Alyssa, hugs from Colby, bacon n eggers with Blake or preparing nutritious after school snacks, Grannie, as she liked to be called, was a big part of our lives. Heartfelt thanks to all the staff at the Grace Hospice for their amazing care and compassion. A celebration of Evelyn's life will be held on Friday, February 8 at 11:00 a.m. in the St. Bernadette Parish, 820 Cottonwood Road. Reception to follow. Interment to take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Winnipeg Humane Society or the Grace Hospice. CRIPES! We love you Mom. THOMSON IN THE PARK FUNERAL HOME AND CEMETERY www.thomsoninthepark.com 925-1120 Life stories may be shared with friends and family across the globe at www.mem.com

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 06, 2008