Obituary of PARKER – Evann Elizabeth

June 29, 1991 – August 15, 2011 Evann left us on Monday, August 15, 2011, at the Foothills Hospital, surrounded by her loving and devastated family, after an utterly stoic battle with leukemia. Evann was beautiful, smart and extremely witty. She loved athletics and left her mark on ski racing with the Sunshine Ski Club, having won a provincial championship; volleyball, basketball, badminton and cross country running in junior high school at West Island College where she earned several honours; soccer with the Calgary Rangers for 16 years; road running, having completed two half marathons; and finally, golf, for which she earned an athletic/academic scholarship at Mercyhurst College in Pennsylvania where she completed just over one year before returning home and becoming ill. Athletics, sweat pants and a keen interest in the UFC notwithstanding, Evann was all girl. She loved long hair, make up, jewellery, really fancy undergarments, glitter and boys. Evann’s greatest love, though, was for animals. Tigers in particular, on the wild side. On the domestic side, Tucker; Evann’s best friend, keeper of all secrets and her favourite nurse. He will be lost without her. Throughout her illness, Evann showed remarkable and unfailing strength of character, as well as physical and spiritual endurance. She made the most of her last summer in Calgary, and with the occasional donning of a wig and false eyelashes, no one was the wiser. Evann is survived by her father, Garth; her mother Brenda (Machny); sister and team-mate, Alex; grandfather and caddy, Walter Machny; grandparents, Connie and Bill Parker; great grandmother, Ann Machny; as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins in Calgary and Ottawa. She was predeceased by her grandmother, Alicia Machny, who also recently succumbed to leukemia. Evie, we will miss your wise cracks, your smile… just you, horribly. A Celebration of Evann’s Life will be held at The Glencoe Club (636 – 29 Avenue SW, Calgary, AB) on Monday, August 22, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. We would be remiss not to thank the extraordinary staff at the Tom Baker Centre unit 57. In particular, Dr. Michelle Geddes, Dr. Nancy Zacarias, Dr. Mohammed Khaleduzzaman and Nurse Meghan whose care and compassion we remarked on almost daily. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada, 110, 1202 Centre St. S.E., Calgary, AB T2G 5A5 Telephone: (403) 263-5300 or (toll-free): 1 (866) 547 – LIFE (5433), www.lls.org/canada or to The Calgary Humane Society, 4455 – 110th Avenue S.E., Calgary, AB T2C 2T7, Telephone: (403)205-4455, www.calgaryhumane.ca., or we ask that you please donate blood in memory of Evann. In living memory of Evann Parker, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Telephone: (403)243-8200.