Mrs. Shirley Anne Dittrich Evans

Shirley was born in Trail, BC on November 27, 1936 to Lillian Emma Killough of Castlegar, BC and to August Marion Dittrich of Roth, Rhon-Grabfeld, Bavaria, Germany.

Shirley grew up with two beloved siblings, an older brother Gerry and a younger sister Joan.

As her Dad was in construction, the family moved frequently and often to many towns throughout BC, from the Lower Mainland to Vancouver Island to the Kootenays. It was when they were transferred to Lillooet, BC that our mother met her best friend and future sister-in-law Lillian Forsythe and her future husband a young Mountie named Ron Evans.

Ron and Shirley were married in Hope, BC on July 6, 1957. In her new role as a Mountie’s wife, Shirley lived in Kamloops, Spences Bridge (where Shirley became by default both postmistress and prison matron) and eventually North Vancouver, Terrace and St. John’s, Newfoundland. Shirley loved getting to know Newfoundland and Newfoundlanders and joined a ladies’ curling rink that ultimately ended up representing Newfoundland and Labrador at the Sr. Ladies’ Canadian Championship.

Shirley, who had originally intended to become a nurse, worked as a bank teller, Employment Officer and eventually fundraiser. She was the fundraiser for the establishment of the Women’s Shelter in Kamloops and for the Kamloops Wildlife Park.

Shirley and Ron both valued service to family and community. Whatever their children enrolled in, Shirley and Ron took part too. Shirley began by volunteering at the North Kamloops Elementary School library and then she and Ron became executive members of the North Kamloops Skating Club, the Kamloops Aquatic Club and the North Kamloops Curling Club. Ultimately Shirley and Ron joined the North Kamloops Rotary Club and spent the ensuing 35 years hosting exchange students and joining enthusiastically in all social, fundraising and humanitarian projects that Rotary might be involved with. Shirley, along with Ron, was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship, an achievement that meant so much to both of them. Independently, Shirley served on many other community boards, among them the YMCA.

Ron and Shirley loved to travel, socialize, curl and dance; and Shirley loved her swimming pool, flower beds and watercolour painting. She was a devoted, caring and empathetic partner, mother and friend. She adored her grandchildren and grandniece absolutely. She loved philanthropy, music, singing and Christmas.

Remembering our mother and friend with joy and love are sister Joan (Bob) Epp, children Colleen (Les) Tabata, Carol (Brian) Mammel, Lori (Grant) Burnell, grandchildren Darcy (Dan) Halber, Leah, Mitchell Mammel, Erica and Rhys Burnell, Nicola and Aiden Tabata; Julia (former Brazilian exchange student and considered a member of the family), Fernando and Elyssa Garcão; great-grandchild Jackson Pace Halber and myriad nieces, nephews, friends and family.

A Service and Reception for Shirley will be held on Saturday, November 25, 2017, 2:00 pm at Schoening Funeral Service, 513 Seymour Street, Kamloops, BC.

The family requests that In lieu of flowers, people make a donation to a charity of their choice.

Condolences may be expressed at www.schoeningfuneralservice.com