Evelyn Louise Callahan

Beloved mother to Robert Callahan (Sue) of North Vancouver and Beth Callahan (Peter) of Madeira Park, grandmother to Kristina and Kerryanne. Survived by her siblings George, Tom, Eric, Bob and Betty plus many nieces and nephews across the country. Evelyn was predeceased by the love of her life—husband Hayden, sister Eleanor and brother Harry.

Evelyn was born in Toronto, as the second child to George and Doris Bartlett. She was only 13 when she met Hayden and knew immediately that “that’s the man I’m going to marry!” At 19 she did. Hayden was in the army and their first posting as a couple was to Chilliwack where she fell in love with the mountains. Rob was born there and Hayden was sent to Egypt for peacekeeping services so Evelyn stayed with family back in Toronto while he was away. Beth was born three years later when they lived in Petawawa, Ontario.

The family then moved to Germany in 1963 where a love for travel developed for Evelyn. Holland, Switzerland, France, Sweden, Norway and Denmark became vacation destinations. Most of the remaining 60s was spent in Germany, Werl and Soest and then a permanent return to Canada in 1970. Life continued with postings from North Bay and Borden, Ontario to a final one to Victoria where Hayden retired.

During those years, Evelyn worked variously in offices, retail, and banking. Then a final move to Abbotsford in 1980 where they bought a home with a view of Mount Baker and Evelyn lived until she could no longer. She was a Welcome Wagon hostess for 12 years, bringing information and gifts to new residents and moms with new babies in the Abbotsford area—a job she excelled at as she could talk to anyone.

Two organizations brought her the most joy however, the Catholic Women’s League and the Auxiliary to the Abbotsford Regional Hospital. The CWL had conferences across the country which Evelyn loved to attend while her workroom ladies at the hospital gave her a weekly outlet for fun conversation while they knitted. She loved her shifts in the hospital gift shop and made great friends there.

Evelyn continued to travel with friends and often with Beth and her friends. Cruising through the Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Panama and Alaska with a final one in 2018 from Singapore to Abu Dhabi. Road tripping across Canada, to NWT, through Arizona, and of course British Columbia. She got some mother/son bonding with Rob visiting family at her father’s birthplace in Newfoundland and trips in BC and with family in Ontario.

Once her children married Evelyn enjoyed a fuller family life and loved to beat Sue at cards or Scrabble (almost never!) Grandchildren further enriched her life and she taught the girls the pleasures of shopping and colour coordination. Friends old and new came in and out of Evelyn’s life and she always tried to maintain contact.

In 2021 Evelyn lost her mobility and moved into an apartment that never felt like home but gave her some independence. She continued as best she could in an electric wheelchair—hospital workroom, coffee with the ladies at the mall and occasional other excursions. Failing health and weakness played a large part of her decline and after a brief stay in the ACE unit at Abbotsford Regional Hospital she left us to join those who had gone before, early in the morning of June 14.

Evelyn will be remembered for her tongue-in-cheek wit, a beautiful smile and the friendships she cultivated. She will be missed.

There will be a graveside service at Hazelwood Cemetery Abbotsford on June 22 at 10:30 with a memorial service to be planned for September. Friends and family welcome.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Auxiliary to the Abbotsford Regional Hospital will be graciously accepted, 32900 Marshall Rd. Abbotsford, BC V2S 0C2.