EVELYN AMELIA JOHNSON

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EVELYN AMELIA JOHNSON Evelyn Amelia Johnson (nee Snyder), passed away at home on November 2, 2014, after a heart attack. She was born April 8, 1936. She is survived by her sisters-in-law, Pat, Louise, Thelma, Shirley and Margret. Brothers-in-law Gerry (Red) and Mike along with numerous nieces and nephews and special friends. She was predeceased by her parents Paul and Bertha Snyder, husband Andrew 2005, son Lesley 2008, father/mother-in-law William and Rose Johnson, brothers-in-law Art, Carson, Bill, Nick and John, sisters-in-law Rose, Dorothy, Evelyn, nieces Maureen and Dale, and nephews, Barry and Larry. Evelyn worked at the Culture Heritage and Citizenship for the Queen's Printer as a Graphic Services Manager. She met her future husband Andy in 1962 at the Badminton Club and they were married on August 12, 1967. She started living in Winnipeg on Kane Street to later move out to Anola. She always cherished the times at Anola with her animals, feeding the hummingbirds, but mostly feeding the deer; at one time Evelyn said there were 16 that she fed. She recently took in a mother and her four kittens. Due to health issues, they had to be give up for adoption. She kept the mother cat (Smoky) but later was given to a loving home; (cat kept chewing her oxygen cord). She swore but was laughing at the same time. She always had a very soft spot for all animals. Her other thing in life she cherished was spending time out at her lake front cottage in Ontario. Evelyn and Andy spent many of weekends fishing in Dryden and other remote lakes, tennis, parties and a really good time by all. Evelyn and her sister-in law Louise would always talk on the phone, every day at 9:00 p.m. Sometimes Evelyn would not have the phone by her or the TV was blaring so she didn't answer the phone. Needless to say, Mom would call our place asking if you've heard anything. Between Mom, Shelley and me, we were trying to get a hold of her. In the long run we did find she was just sleeping, sometimes took hours. Louise and her had great talks over the years. Both could dish it out on both sides with laughter and then they had their serious talks. Everything always turned out well with a joke and laugh. Those phone calls will be dearly missed but cherished forever in the heart. Evelyn studied her music with Robert Irwin and I believe began with Nina Dempsey. Evelyn was the contralto soloist at Augustine United Church in the late 1950s. These positions were valued by many of Winnipeg's singers, as they brought a welcome extra to the family coffers. The Manitoba Music Festival was the starting place for many aspiring performers. The top end of the vocal competitions was the Rose Bowl, in which Ev competed and came in second. In 1957 she was awarded the Gordon Hignell Trophy. This trophy was originally given for the most outstanding Grade B Song vocal performance. From a couple of remarks she made I'm quite sure she with her powerful, nuanced voice was invited to sing for the Opera trials. In the fledgling days of live television in Winnipeg, Ev sang on CJAY, and in 1960, on CBC TV with a quartet known as "the Stage Four". This led to her being chosen for a show called "Swingalong", which started locally in 1961 and then went national. Out of the Swingalong chorus came the Neil Harris Singers, providing a decade of work and camaraderie on T.V. and radio programs, both religious and secular. Besides premiering some of Neil's compositions, the biggest highlight was backing The Duke Ellington in the live Winnipeg performance of his religious works. Eventually, these singers and dozens of other Manitoba performers ended up in the popular productions begun by James Duncan at The Hollow Mug Theatre-Restaurant at the International Inn. One of her other highlights was singing The Russian National Anthem at the Winnipeg arena around 1974 to 76. Russia was playing the Czech Republic. As Evelyn's presence at home with her late husband Andy became more necessary, she withdrew her wonderful voice and straight-forward presence from performing, and attended as always, to taking care of Andy. She was devastated after the loss of Andy, but even more when she lost her son Lesley, Les. After this, you could see she gave up all hope and lived the best she could with all her health problems. The family would like to give a special thanks to 911, R.C.M.P. Constable Investigator Allison Schill, Home Care Specialist Joanne Boychuk, for acting quickly and taking care of everything until I arrived. Thank you both for staying by my side until the E.M.S. arrived. Thank you to all the staff at home care who came out to cook her meals and made sure all was okay, even to sit down and chat, coffee and a bite to eat. A special thanks goes to Shelley Smith, who was very close to Aunt Ev. She did clothes shopping, grocery shopping, and anything else she needed. Ev always loved the talks in person and the phone calls between. Both had many talks and laughs that will be dearly missed. Shelley will miss Aunt Ev dearly as they both had a very special bond. A heart warm thank you goes to Laura Chopp who took care of Evelyn since day one. Not only Ev, but she also took care of Andy. I couldn't have asked for a better person to be by her side from the start. You might have worked for her, but more, you were a "very dear friend" to her. As per her wishes, Evelyn has been cremated and her ashes will be spread at a later date next year, along with Andy's, Les's and all her animals. I will keep all informed. Because Evelyn and Les couldn't stand the thought of animals being euthanized, please make donations to all the no-kill shelters such as QUAGGA, Darcy's A.R.C., Winnipeg Rescue, etc. Tomorrow is promised to no one. Give someone you love (or not) a hug today, don't wait to say I love you, you might not have that chance ever again. From the bottom of my heart, we will miss you so much and we are all devastated by the loss. I'm very grateful and honored to be your niece and enjoyed every moment seeing you and our phone calls. I couldn't have asked for a better aunt and wife for Uncle Andy, and all would agree. You will always be in our hearts and thoughts every day. I'm glad to have spoken to you that morning to say I love you, and to hear back "I love you too kiddo". R.I.P. - my wish is that you are now in no pain, with Andy and Les, and all your pets by that Rainbow Bridge.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 29, 2014