Ann EVANS

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

EVANS: Ann Marie Evans (nee Kuculym) passed away at the Neepawa Health Centre on October 31, 2011 at the age of 94.Ann was born February 14, 1917 in Kiev, Ukraine one of six children born to Fred and Rose Kuculym. Her dad and older brother Steve emigrated to Canada; followed by Ann, her sister Mary and her mother in 1922; traveling via a cattle boat and train to join the rest of the family in the community of Basswood. Ann attended Makepeace, the local one room country school. One of her fondest memories was riding a pony to her classes. As a teen she learned the art of pie making at the Camerons home. This led to her job as the pastry maker for Naum and Kina Evans at the Patricia Café in Minnedosa. When she met their son Tony, the sparks flew. They married November 1, 1942 and had their only child Larry. Ann and Tony were partners in business as well as in life. Often Tony would say Ann “his dearest, plucked him from the ditch and placed him on the right road.” They built and were owner-operators of Evans Drive Inn followed by Chalet Restaurant on the corner of Highways 5 and 16. As a young wife, Ann worked hard in the family businesses, continuing to be their main morning cook and baker well into her sixties. Ann was an active member of the St. James Anglican Church, enjoying the fellowship of the Women’s Auxiliary for five decades. Ann’s love of family was experienced by many relatives; followed by her devotion to animals--particularly Pepper, her German Shepherd and William, the Anglican Rectory cat. Ann was a great cook. She liked to travel in her little motor home before settling into her cottage at Minnedosa Beach. Ann was predeceased by her parents and her siblings--Mary in 2004, Steve in 1948 and John in 1997. Her husband Tony passed away March 25, 1982. She is survived by son Larry and daughter-in-law Nancy as well as her nephews Bobbie, Joe, Doug, Leslie and Jim and their families. Funeral service will be held in St. James Anglican Church, Neepawa, Manitoba at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 4, 2011. Interment in Minnedosa Cemetery, Minnedosa, Manitoba. We are grateful for the care and respect Ann received from her caregivers while at East View Lodge, later Country Meadows. As Ann was a long time breast cancer survivor, should people so desire, conations may be made to CancerCare Manitoba. White’s Funeral Home, Neepawa, Manitoba in care of arrangements. 1-204-476-2848.

As published in Brandon Sun on Nov 01, 2011