Obituary of Margaret Claire EVANS

December 9, 1936 - North Battleford, Saskatchewan
August 16, 2020 – Calgary, Alberta

Margaret Claire Evans, beloved wife of William (Bill) Evans, loving mother and grandmother, passed away on Sunday, August 16, 2020 at the age of 83.

Margaret was born in North Battleford, SK, the first of two daughters of James Edward Evans and Lelia Verna May (Greenslade). Margaret grew up in North Battleford. After graduating from Saskatoon Teachers College, she met the love of her life, Bill. Bill and Marg were married in North Battleford on July 19, 1958 and recently celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary.

Bill’s educational and professional pursuits took them to Golden, Colorado and Dawson Creek, BC, where their three daughters, Lynn, Marla and Pam were born. They then moved to Calgary where they have resided for the past fifty-five years.

Marg was so many things, first and foremost an amazing wife and mother. She supported Bill throughout his career with Esso Resources Canada Limited. After his retirement, Bill and Marg were active participants of the Esso Annuitants Club. Marg supported her daughters and granddaughters throughout the years, attending recitals and school events. She was an avid volunteer with neighborhood schools, the South Calgary YMCA, Women’s Canadian Club, spousal programs for CSEG, and her Church. Marg founded Custom Tour Services Ltd., which she owned and operated for fifteen years, training and employing many of her friends as tour guides for groups visiting Calgary and southern Alberta. Highlights included, showing visitors the Calgary Stampede and the Calgary 1988 Winter Olympics.

Marg was a teacher at heart her entire life, from the one room school house in rural Saskatchewan, to teaching tap dancing to the neighborhood children and decoupage for CBE’s Continuing Education Program and the Kerby Centre. Marg ran the Moms and Tots swimming program at the South Calgary YMCA and volunteered in the Sunday school program at St. Andrew’s United Church. 

After they both retired, Marg loved riding shotgun with Bill on many local dirt road adventures and travels around the globe. Always wearing a smile, she enjoyed learning and experiencing the many different cultures. She would say that her favourite part was visiting with the local people wherever she went, always with a pocket full of Canadian flag pins.  Marg took great joy in sharing her love for travel with her grandchildren, taking the whole family on incredible adventures including cruises to Alaska and the Mediterranean. Marg was a gracious hostess and loved entertaining, whether casual tapas in the backyard or formal sit-down dinners.

Besides her husband Bill, Marg is survived by her three daughters, Lynn Grayston (Chris), and Marla Evans of Calgary, and Pam Daniel (Steve) of Houston, Texas; and her seven granddaughters, Brenna and Kayla Grayston, Cassia, Kendra and Amanda Kohut, and Taylor and Morgan Daniel. Marg is also survived by her cousin Stan Greenslade (Phyllis), seven nieces and nephews, Rodney MacKenzie and Stewart MacKenzie (Cathy), Evan Evans (Larissa), Tauyna Shewciw (Joel), Normajean Evans (Peter), Nancy Shynkaruk (Corrie) and Laura Jansen (Rick), and their children.

Marg was predeceased by her sister Verna Louise MacKenzie and parents, Jim and Verna Evans. Marg will be greatly missed by family and friends. 

A socially distanced Funeral Service will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY (Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB) on Wednesday, August 26, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Marg’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Bethany Care Foundation, #100, 2915 – 26th Avenue S.E., Calgary, AB T2B 2W6 Telephone: (403) 210-4600, email: bcf@bethanycare.com. Or to The Alzheimer Society of Calgary, 800, 7015 Macleod Trail S.W., Calgary, AB T2H 2K6, Telephone: (403)290-0110, www.alzheimercalgary.com.

The family would like to thank the staff of Bethany Riverview, Rockyview Hospital and Staywell Manor, for the genuine care and attention given to her over the past four years. They are especially grateful to her loving caregiver and companion, Emma Valdez.

In living memory of Margaret Evans, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis and Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.