Shirley Isabel Evans

Shirley Evans (nee MacDonald) passed away peacefully at the Southwood Hospice in Calgary, at the age of 83 years, after a courageous battle with cancer. She is lovingly remembered and forever cherished by her husband, Verne, sons, Gaalen and Glenn (Bonnie), and granddaughter, Ava. She is also survived by her sister, Marian, and brothers, Keith, Rodney, Noland, Marlin, and Kenton.

Shirley was born in Athabasca, Alberta, on Christmas Day, 1940. She was the eldest of seven born to Keith and Eva MacDonald. She spent her early formative years growing up on a farm outside Grassland, Alberta. In 1956 she moved with her family to Slave Lake, Alberta, where she soon met her husband to be, Verne.

Shirley and Verne married in 1962 and spent 62 happy years together, raising their sons in High Prairie, Alberta, as well as Edmonton, Alberta. Shirley earned her Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Alberta, and spent almost a quarter century teaching Grade 2 at High Prairie Elementary School.

Retiring in 1997, she began a new chapter of life in Okotoks, Alberta, meeting many new friends and enjoying travel to sunnier climes. While in Okotoks, Shirley founded the local chapter of the Red Hat Society. In 2009, Shirley and Verne moved to Calgary to be closer to their beloved granddaughter, Ava, playing a significant role in her upbringing.

Shirley is remembered by family and friends as a kind, humble and compassionate person, with incredible inner strength and quiet courage. She loved animals and had many critter friends in the neighbourhood who visited her backyard daily. She also had a lifelong love of learning and spent countless hours researching her various interests and passions on the internet.

As per her wishes, there will be no funeral or memorial service. If you would like to honour Shirley's memory in some way, please consider making a charitable donation to an animal rescue or wildlife rehabilitation society.