Evelyn Martha Watral

NOTES FROM HER SERVICE - MAY 13, 2020

Attended under restrictions of Covid -19 by Rob, Carl, Susan, grandsons David and Mark, niece Kerrie Zeka (who gave a beautiful eulogy), Niece Li Pressey, Niece Gail Sharpe, Nephew Paul MacDonald and Tricia Anne Size (honorary granddaughter and mom of great grandkids Lauren and Ben)

Thanks to each of you for being here today . We are small in numbers but mighty in love.

We are here today because of love and loss. We all experience the pain of the loss but today we are here to celebrate the love. Each of you are part of the tribe of Evelyn. Each of you has your memories and we will share those today and in the weeks ahead as we learn to live in a world without our mom, grandma and beloved aunt.

To Carl, Rob and me she was the driving force to propel us through life in our early years: hard working, committed, filling the house with wonderful aromas, creating Christmas magic, filling the house with her friends and ours and fulfilling her dream of having us all complete a university education. To the grandsons she poured out the love and time she just didn’t have raising her own kids. My kids were so blessed with her care, laughter, love and unending time at the lake. She was their fan club, cheerleader and pizza sharer. The called her “regular grandma” to differentiate her from great-grandma Smith – but would agree she was the most awesome of grandmothers. Derek has his time with her in Florida. She admired their adult lives including Tricia when she joined the clan and remains her Gramma Evelyn One of her proudest moments was carrying their degrees into Marienbad after their graduation to raise a Belgian pint. She was able to share the excitement when Lauren arrived and we even have a few pictures of her with Ben – just so he will know he was on the earth with his great grandma. To her nieces and nephews – mom knew each of you and loved you from the time you were born. She spent lots of time with Gail and Paul while their folks dealt with the illness and passing of beautiful Lea Marie. She always wanted my hair to look like Gail’s. Paul’s beautiful and caring girls were a strong part of mom’s team at the onset of her troubles. Kerrie was a huge part of team Evelyn in her Alzheimer journey, understood how to communicate with her and had her very best interest at the heart of all she did, Li who held her hand and shared the comfort of visits with her mom and mine; All of the family events, Christmases and joys we shared throughout our lives into recent years were bedrock to Mom.

Mom had a bit of a tangle with faith matters through her life but did come to an abiding faith that gave her great comfort and gives us comfort to know she is safe and secure in heaven. Her best friend Angela of more than 60 years couldn’t be here today due to Covid. She called me back after our first talk to say she got up on Wednesday with a big smile on her face and the knowledge of, in her words” I just know something wonderful has happened to Evelyn”. She said mom was the best of friends.

In John 14 Jesus tells us: Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in me.

In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it wasn’t so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you ….. that where I am you will be also. I have confidence that is where Mom is. It is truly amazing and undeserved grace.

Tricia is going to sing Amazing Grace for us and then Kerrie will have some thoughts to share.

Tricia Anne: Amazing Grace

Kerrie: Eulogy

Lets Pray:

Father – thank you for the opportunity for us to be together to celebrate mom’s life, to feel your comfort and to have the comfort of our shared love for her. Thank you for being so loving and kind and for continuing to pursue us even when we turn from you. We are grateful that mom turned her face and heart back to you and that you were there with open arms to receive her. Amen.

Tricia is going to share a song that would mean a lot to mom from the war years and one that has equal meaning to us today: Some Sunny Day.

Following her song, we will be finding our way separately with mom to the Oakland cemetery. Once we are all there, Kerrie will lead us through our benediction for mom. When Covid is over we will all come together again for the hugs and sharing that we need and long for.

* * * * * * * * * *

WATRAL, Evelyn Martha (Smith)

The family has released their beloved Evelyn to heaven; October 21, 1930-

May 6, 2020. Cherished mother and friend to Carl, Susan (Size) and Rob. Proud and loving grandma to David (Amy) and Mark Size and Derek Watral. Great Grandma to Lauren and Benjamin Size. Gramma Evelyn to Tricia Anne Size.

Respected and loved mother in law to Laura Sutter and Steve Size. Evelyn was the faithful daughter of Glenn and Marcella Smith; wife of Walter, sister to Bob Smith (Rhea); sister-in law to Irene and Lloyd MacDonald. Special aunt to Kerrie Zeka (Bepin), Loreli Pressey(Dan), Scott Smith (Gloria), Gail Sharpe, Paul MacDonald (Darlene) and families. (Niece Lea Marie pre-deceased). Devoted friend to Angela Campbell.

She and Bob were blessed to grow up in the love and nurture of extended family on the Smith farm at Wardsville. Evelyn enjoyed her friends, colleagues at London Life, tracing the long Smith genealogy, dancing, gardening, travel, theatre, Orchestra London, and was a voracious reader. She believed in hospitality and had an open door and table at homes in London and Grand Bend. If she saw someone in need, she took action – usually something involving delicious food. She was a woman of faith, strength and dignity, staunch supporter of family, and she tried hard to keep up with her mom in endeavours to quilt, preserve, and clean in the corners. She had an infectious laugh and was known at Chartwell for her warm hugs. Christmas with mom was magic.

Thanks to all who loved our mom and grandma and who helped her through her Alzheimer journey, including her family and, for the last several years the amazing team at Chartwell: you have a culture of caring and a feel of family.

If you wish to honour her, she believed in the Salvation Army, kindness and books. So perhaps bless someone around you in her name or give a child or senior a book. Tributes may be made at www.needhamfuneralhome.com