EVELYN MARY ST. GODDARD

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

EVELYN MARY ST. GODDARD April 29, 1929 January 21, 2011 It is with heartbreaking sadness that we announce the passing of our mom, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunty, cousin and friend. Evelyn, known to many as gramma , passed away suddenly on Friday, January 21st at her residence in Portage la Prairie, MB. She was predeceased by her husband Leo, her parents Regis and Therese Lavallee, her brothers Jack Lavallee, Leo Lavallee, Freddie Lavallie, her sisters Aldea Ducharme, Pearl Ducharme, Yvette Olson and her son Bernie Ivan St. Goddard. She will be forever remembered and greatly missed by her family: brother Marcel Lavallee; sisters Juliette Cromarty, Shirley Blanchard (Maurice); children Wilson St. Goddard (Elva), Wallace St. Goddard, Delores Gumowsky (Mike), Les St. Goddard (Marilyn), Floyd St. Goddard (Jackie), Darlene Eichhorst, Fred St. Goddard (Bev); grandchildren Danielle Anderson (Sean), Aaron St. Goddard, Michael St. Goddard (Wendy), Marlene Buchart, Glenn Hollman (Angela), Jamey Gumowsky (Stacy), Christopher Gumowsky (Amanda), Len Eyre (Tracy), Nicole St. Goddard, Denise Ducharme, Christine Pasaluko, Stacie St. Goddard, Lindsey St. Goddard (Riley), Alvin Lee Eichhorst (Amanda), Andre St. Goddard; great-grandchildren Brendon, Jordan, Kazlan, Jocelyn, Jessica, Claire, Robyn, Stephan, Mason, Rocko, Blaine, Jordan, Kingston, Maggie and Gage, who always wanted great-gramma Evelyn to come and spend the weekend and visit with him at his gramma Delores and grandpa Mike's house. She is also survived by former daughter-in-law Janine Page, ex-husband John Ostopowich, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Evelyn was born in St. Ambroise, MB and married Leo at a very young age and moved from there to Duck Bay, MB for 11 years and raised five children. While living in Duck Bay, Evelyn worked very hard helping her husband with winter commercial fishing on the cold windy Lake Winnipegosis. Times were tough in the early 40s with not much money for food and children to raise, she had no choice but to work with her husband on the lake. They moved from Duck Bay back to St. Ambroise in 1953 and had two more children. Evelyn and Leo moved to Kitimat, BC in 1959 with their seven children to join her brother Freddie Lavallie and his wife Evelyn to start a new life. She lived in Kitimat from 1959 to 1972 and it was there her last son Fred was born. She worked at the Kitimat General Hospital as cook and later as manager of the Kitimat Motel until they decided to move back to Manitoba in 1972 when her husband Leo became very ill. Evelyn was a very hard worker right from a very young age. Times were tough with a sick husband that couldn't work much any longer and eight children to take care of, but she was very thrifty and knew how to manage money, right until her last days. After her husband Leo passed away in 1972 she worked for the Lions Prairie Manor for six years as a cook in the kitchen then later went to work as cook with the Manitoba Justice Department (Agassiz Youth Centre) for 14 years. It was very well known to the staff at Agassiz that she made the most delicious butter tarts. Everyone would see Evelyn walk at least four miles every day from Tupper Street to work at Agassiz and return home no matter what the weather was like. She retired from Agassiz Youth Centre in 1991 and also worked part time in the Portage Curling rink lounge, for about 12 years from the first day it opened, and that was just to have fun with all the curlers and customers she met there. Evelyn was a life member of the Army and Navy Club, member of the B.S. Club at the Portage Hotel and a member on the Portage Handivan board. Evelyn loved her family with all her heart, and constantly worried about everyone. She would attend as many functions as she could with her kids, grandkids and great-grandkids. At a drop of the hat she was always there for them when they needed her. Mom had a way of making everyone feel special and we should all feel lucky to have spent time with her. TIME...... we all just wanted to have more. If only we could turn back the clock and have another chance, what would we do different? Evelyn touched the hearts of many people and everyone loved her. She always said what was on her mind whether you liked it or not. In her younger days she loved to play ball, curl, dance and listen to country and violin music while sipping her beer. Like her dad, the late Regis Lavallee, she loved her beer. In her retirement years she entertained herself by watching all sports, especially curling and hockey and truly enjoyed watching all the Olympic events. You could barely budge her from the TV when either the Young the Restless or curling was on. She loved to watch Carolyn Darbyshire curl with the Bernard team as she knew Carolyn personally. She knew the names of all the men and women on the curling teams. She had many interests including sewing, gardening, camping, which she loved, and summer fishing. She enjoyed travelling around Mexico, Hawaii and the Caribbean Islands with her youngest son Fred and his family. She had a huge garden when she lived in the country that would have easily fed 100 people. She was so proud of her garden and when it was ready she would give it all away. There was no stopping her, as she wanted to do as much as she could while still able to. She lived life to the fullest and wanted everyone that knew her to do the same. In lieu of flowers memorial donations in remembrance of Evelyn St. Goddard can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation Portage Office, 103 Wilkinson Crescent, Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 1A7. In accordance with and respecting Evelyn's wishes, a private memorial service and interment will be held at the Hillside Cemetery in Portage la Prairie on February 4th at 1:30 p.m. for immediate family and close relatives. Arrangements by Ronald Moffit Memorial Services, Portage la Prairie, MB.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 29, 2011