VIRA EVANS

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

VIRA EVANS April 19, 1938 - January 20, 2001 With sorrow we announce that suddenly and tragically on January 20, 2001, our deeply beloved wife, mother, grandmother and sister, Vira Evans, was taken from us by the illness which she gracefully and courageously battled for most of her adult life. Vira was born to Idwal and Beatrice Griffiths on April 19, 1938, in Seven Sisters, Wales. She completed her registered nursing training at Llandough Hospital in Wales and obtained her nursing designation in 1959. On August 20, 1960, Vira married Dr. Russ Evans. Vira and Russ lived and worked in London, England after their marriage until they relocated to Nairobi, Kenya where they resided for three years and had their first daughter Alison. Upon returning to England, they settled in Rugby for three years, where their daughter Angela was born. In 1968 Vira, Russ and their children moved to Canada. In Manitoba, Vira lived in the communities of Gilliam, The Pas and, most recently, Winnipeg. While in The Pas, Vira was a very active member of Christ Anglican Church and The Pas Health Complex Auxiliary. In 1998 Vira was made a Lifetime Honorary Member of the Auxiliary. Since she moved to Winnipeg in 1998, Vira was active in St. Lukes Anglican Church. Vira was devoted and loving to her family. She was very close to her daughters and was a source of guidance, strength and inspiration for them. She adored her five grandchildren and treasured her time with them and seeing them grow. Russ and Vira cherished each other and together they shared an active life of hiking, cycling and camping, an interest in music and film, as well as love for their golden Labradors. Above all, Vira was deeply spiritual and it was her faith in God that gave her the capacity to love and live as she did, particularly in the face of her nearly lifelong struggle with depression. Her qualities of love, strength, kindness, respect, grace, simplicity and humility resonate in our thoughts and memories of her. Vira deeply touched the lives of all who knew her. Vira was predeceased by her parents and infant siblings, Colin, Moira and Marygwendalyn. She has left behind her husband Russ in Winnipeg; daughter Alison in The Pas (son-in-law Michael and grandchildren, Shauna, Brodie, Gillian and Brianne) daughter Angela in Winnipeg (son-in-law Norman and grandchild Anna) sister Mair in Wales; brother Keith in Malta and nieces in the United States and Great Britain. She was very much loved and will be so sadly missed. Cremation will take place as Vira wished, prior to the funeral. The funeral service will take place on Friday, January 26, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Lukes Anglican Church at 130 Nassau St., in Winnipeg, Man. If desired, in lieu of flowers, donations to the Canadian Mental Health Association, at 2-836 Ellice Ave., Winnipeg, Man., R3G 0C2, would be much appreciated. THOMSON FUNERAL CHAPELS 783-7211

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 24, 2001