Mrs. Evelyn Marie Simmons English

Mrs. Evelyn Marie English was very special to many people. She was a good friend, a kind sister and a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother. To her family and friends who knew her best, Evelyn will be loved, remembered and missed always.

Evelyn was the daughter of Peter and Gertude Simmons. She grew up in Bathurst, New Brunswick relocating to Ontario early in life.

Evelyn was raised with eleven siblings. She had one older sister, Opal and three older brothers, Chesley, Gordon and Edmund she also had seven half brothers and sisters Margaret, Doris, Donald, Elsie, Raymond, Theresa and Andy. She and her siblings experienced rivalries and hardships typical of a large east coast family; they shared many life experiences and fond memories over the years.

Always considered a good friend to those she knew, Evelyn enjoyed a broad group of acquaintances, she had many close and dear friends through her life in later life she became the closest of friends with Lucie Breiter.

Evelyn loved and was loved by two husbands in her life; Norman Eagar who passed in 1979 and Douglas English who passed in 1997

Evelyn worked hard to be a good mother to her children, always putting her children's needs above her own. She was blessed with three daughters, Barbara, Dianne and Colleen and one son Richard.

Fortunately, Evelyn always enjoyed her work life. Showing a strong work ethic, she worked diligently and did her best to succeed in her career. Her primary occupation was in the restaurant field. She worked for sixty years in jobs ranging from waitress to home making. Everywhere she worked she was highly thought of, always doing what was necessary in order to get the job done.

Evelyn enjoyed her leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. Her favorite times were spent with family and friends, playing cards, Yahtzee, attending theatre, fine dining and listening to music. She was content to enjoy her favorite pastimes alone but loved to share her time and interests with others. Above all she enjoyed spending time with family and friends if only sitting and chatting over a cup of coffee or a glass of wine.

Evelyn's faith was important to her. She was raised in a Catholic family, later in life she converted to the Anglican Church. While not an overtly religious person, Eve was always a deeply spiritual person.

Evelyn enjoyed traveling and time away on vacations. It was a chance for her to renew and relax, to visit new places and experience new things. Favorite vacations included heading back home to New Brunswick and to the Islands with Lucie. Earlier in her life she enjoyed many trips to various Natural Wonders in Canada with her husband Norm and to the U.S.A. with Doug.

Evelyn was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. One of her favorites was Oscar her fat cat. They were best of friends for four years. Evelyn had many cats and dogs through her life, perhaps the one she loved the dearest was Cleo the beagle.

Evelyn never did really retire completely; the idea just never seemed to take. She did manage to slow down a bit and move into a small one bedroom apartment. In retirement, she found new pleasures in family, friends and her pets. Even in retirement, Evelyn continued to stay in touch with her old friends while making plenty of new acquaintances. She was active in her new life style and felt fulfilled with the opportunities to help her friends and family.

Evelyn passed away on May 23, 2008 at Parkwood Hospital in London Ontario after fighting a courageous battle against cancer. She is survived by her four children, thirteen grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Services were held at Needhams Funeral Home in London.

Simply stated, Evelyn was a good and kind person who will for all time be remembered by her family and friends, someone who was a vital part of their lives. She leaves behind her a legacy of life-long friendships and cherished memories. Everyone whose life she touched will always remember Mrs. Evelyn Marie English.

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The following a tribute to Evelyn was read during her funeral service by her granddaughters Jessica and Jennifer and her great grandson Nicholas

My uncle Rick, aunt Colleen, aunt Chris and my mom Dianne have been given the honor of writing this tribute to Mom's life, this has been more difficult then one would think, how do you write down in words the absolute love you have for a mother, especially one who showed you that same love each and every time you saw her.

Grandma was a remarkable woman who fought an incredibly courageous battle for the last four years and never gave up or complained, quite the opposite, she always maintained an incredibly upbeat attitude and her bravery in the face of this terrible disease was an inspiration to everyone she touched.

Her unyielding attitude should come as no surprise considering the trials she faced early in life for she lost her mother 10 days after her birth and was raised by her 19 year old sister Opal, until her father remarried.

Grandma left her home in Bathurst at the age of 16 and made her way to Ontario to start a new life. Grandma started working at this point at jobs ranging from waitressing to caring for the elderly and she didn't really quit until she was 76, an incredible 60 years later! In her spare time she also managed to raise her children and 2 husbands.

Grandma loved to play Euchre, Yahtzee and 31 and we all know what a fierce competitor she was at those. Late in life she also discovered a love of theatre, live performances and Dancing with the Stars. She enjoyed fine dining and good Italian red wines, but always her greatest love was spending time with her family, here and on the east coast. She never treated anyone like an outsider. We all hear about the nasty mother in-laws but that was not the case with grandma, she treated her sons-in-law and daughter- in- law just like her own. She was simply the sweetest and nicest person that any of us has ever known.

And of course I can't forget to mention that grandma was the most amazing cook. We will all miss grandma's specialty dishes; her chicken potpie and apple pies are legendary!

I think the real tribute to grandma will be seen and heard in the years to come, every time we sit down to a family meal, play a game of yahtzee or euchre, listen to a favorite song or watch a movie we know Grandma loved….. and remember

At this point Nicholas, Jennifer and I would like to share some of the grand children's favorite memories.

Nicholas:

The thing I'll remember most about grandma is that she never failed to tell me and everyone else that she loved them. She always welcomed you with a hug and a kiss and said goodbye the same way. My grandma was the most loving and caring person I have ever known; I don't think it was possible for my grandma to hate anything or anyone. Oh, and of course, I will never forget Grandmas apple pies.

Jennifer

One of my favorite memories of grandma is when Grandma, mom, dad, Laura, and I went to New Brunswick to meet Grandmas family. The whole trip was amazing, and a wonderful memory, but my favorite part was during the train ride there. Grandma and I spent the majority of the ride together, bonding, drinking beer, and playing cards. It was probably the most fun we have ever had together and I will never forget that time.

Another amazing memory of my Grandma...was the last time we ever talked...she held my hand tight and told me that she loved me over and over again. She didn't want to let go...and neither did I.

My absolute favorite memory of my grandma was actually during her most recent, and last visit in the hospital. Towards the end it was hard to find a time to actually visit as she spent most of the day sleeping. But during the last week I stopped by and she was alert, awake, and her feisty old self. Telling people to shut off the music and that she could brush her own hair. I saw the strong lady I had always known and looked up to, I saw my grandma! I left after an hour when she started to go back to sleep. I was the only grandchild to be there for this visit, which is something I will never forget. I only wish everyone else could have seen her that way.

Jessica

One of my most favorite memories of my Grandma, which I will always cherish, is the night that we went to go see one of our favorite singers in concert, Loreena McKennitt. It had been a long time since Grandma and I had been able to do something together, just the two of us, not since I was a child, so it made the night even more special We sat there listening to the soulful music and cried like the silly emotional women we are. It was a wonderful night and I know Grandma enjoyed it as much as I did. I will always think of her every time I listen to Loreena McKennitt especially the song “Bonny Portmore” as Grandma mentioned during the concert that it was one of her favorite songs.

I know we are all grieving today for we lost an amazing woman, but I know wherever she is she is happy and contented with what she left us.

Grandma, Mom, we will love and miss you forever and we will always strive to keep your family strong and close.

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Obituary - London Free Press

After a courageous battle with cancer, our Mom, Evelyn English (nee Simmons) passed away on May 23, 2008 at Parkwood Hospital in her 82nd year. She was predeceased by her husbands Norman Eagar (1979) and Douglas English (1997). She will be deeply missed by our family: daughters, sons and their spouses - Barbara and Aurelien Albert, Dianne and Jan Kirshin, Colleen and John VanderPlas, Richard and Christine Eagar, as well as 14 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Mom will be sadly missed by her dear friend Lucie Breiter. Our deepest thanks to Dr. Harle and the Parkwood Palliative Care staff for their heartfelt care and compassion over the past weeks. Following Mom's wishes, cremation has taken place. Friends and family may call at the Needham Funeral Chapel on Monday from 7-9 p.m. where the funeral service will take place on Tuesday May 27, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. Interment of ashes to take place at a later date. Donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Parkwood Palliative Care Unit are appreciated in lieu of flowers.