Obituary of Evelyn Blanche Salt

September 12, 1926 – Kenton, Manitoba

December 5, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

Ev was a true embodiment of her lengthy Scottish ancestry – proud, strong-willed, fiercely independent, direct, and fiscally prudent – traits that defined her right until the end of her amazing 98 years.

Ev was born on a farm near Kenton, MB, and from a young age, was determined to pursue an advanced education and professional career. With the support of her parents and by working hard as a hired farm hand, she was able to graduate from Brandon College (now university) and obtain Bachelor of Arts (1947) and Bachelor of Social Work (1951) degrees from the University of Manitoba. Her first assignments were to remote Northern Manitoba locations where she was usually the only female government employee tasked with sorting tragic and challenging events. She was eventually placed in Flin Flon, where she loved to fish, camp, canoe, and socialize. In 1954, Ev married in Flin Flon and shortly after moved to Calgary with her new husband, Bill Salt.

Evelyn had three children (Pat, Gord, and Leanne), and through her unwavering support of their wide-ranging activities, took on new titles – expert seamstress, Brown Owl, Madame Commissioner, Calgary Minor Soccer Registrar, North Glenmore Community Association Board member, and unofficial assistant coach. But perhaps her most important roles were those of schedule organizer, driver, cheerleader, and post-game analyst. The latter was particularly memorable in her children’s lives, as was the detail with which she could recall and replay field performances.

In later life, Evelyn was a longtime condo board president, cross-country skier, and traveller extraordinaire. Between 1983 and 2005, she visited 50 countries, sharing her travel experiences at various times with fellow adventurers Claire, Gina, Lois, and Flo. Her final trip was to India and Nepal, where she (age 80) and her friend Vel (age 78) rode an elephant and witnessed first-hand the overthrow of the Nepalese government (an event reported as an irksome closure of the airport).

Despite Ev’s extensive international travel, her favourite place was Christina Lake, BC, where she spent summers for over 40 years, relaxing with friends and family members. She also valued her close friends in Calgary, many of whom lived in Lakeview and North Glenmore, and others who dated back to her university and early Calgary days.

And so, we lovingly say goodbye to our mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother; we trust that she has gone to a place where she will always know where her keys are. 

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Evelyn’s family here.

In living memory of Evelyn Salt, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-276-2296.