EVELYN JOYCE (WESTOVER) PERRY

It is with great sorrow that the family of Evelyn Perry announces her passing on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008.
Evelyn was born Oct. 13, 1926 to the late Grace and Donovan Westover in Fort Frances, Ont.
Evelyn was predeceased by her husband, Lloyd Russel Perry; brother, Russel Westover; brother-in-law, Don Harris; and dear friend, Jean Hayes.
She leaves to mourn her children and their families, Richard and Eileen Perry (Chris and Cheryl Perry, Chelsea and Rachael and Kim and Blair Attwater, Emily and Nolan); Harvey and Jill Perry (Tammy and Darcy Oliphant, Lyndsey and Reece; Dana and Gene Bowers, Jordan, Nolan, Ethan and Ryan and Kyle Perry), and Cindy and Calvin Kaun (Nathan and David).
Also surviving are her sister, Jean Harris; brother, Charles Westover and wife, Joan; sister-in-law, Cheryl Westover; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Evelyn grew up in Fort Frances, and spent many a wonderful summer in Barwick, Ont., where her grandparents, uncles, and aunts resided. There she helped on the farm, enjoyed playing with favourite cousin, Milt Westover, and loved swimming in the river at her grandparents’ farm.
When Evelyn was a teenager, her family moved to Vancouver, B.C., where her father was stationed during the war. There she worked as a telephone operator, a canner, a woodworker, and her most memorable job as “Rosie the Riveter” riveting the bomb bay doors on Boeing Aircraft’s bombers.
Evelyn loved to dance. She and her sister, Jean, would take out their pin curls, put their dresses on, and go out dancing after a long day of work.
She contracted spinal meningitis, miraculously survived, and left Vancouver to rejoin her family in Fort Frances.
Once back in Fort Frances, Evelyn met Lloyd Perry, whom she married and together they settled and began a family in Alberton Township.
Evelyn was a wonderful cook and is remembered for her chocolate cake, fruit pies, butter tarts, and jelly rolls. Auntie Evelyn spent much time with brother Chuck’s children and will be remembered fondly by her gremlins (Dale, Nancy, Scott, and Michael Westover).
She enjoyed delving into a variety of art mediums, such as painting, pottery, paper toll crocheting, knitting, sewing, and needlepoint.
Her kitchen was a gathering spot for neighbours, family, and friends, where much laughter was heard, coffee drank, world problems solved, and cards played. Gramma Perry’s door was always open, the fridge was full of icy cold milk, and the cookie jars were brimming with treats.
Evelyn’s family was her life and she was always there to help solve problems. We will miss her sage advice and never ending support.
Evelyn had been a dialysis patient since 2003. She moved to Rainycrest after a stroke left her wheelchair-bound in 2004. Mom had a quick whit and much enjoyed the banter and teasing from staff. She said numerous times, “I am treated like a queen.”
In lieu of flowers, in memoriam donations may be given to the dialysis unit of Riverside Health Care Facilties, Inc. c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.
Online condolences may offered at www.mem.com
Evelyn was cremated and a celebration of her life will be held Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008 from 1-5 p.m. at her daughter’s home in Alberton Township (Highway 611 North, Fire #444), where family and friends are invited to enjoy some of Evelyn’s legendary pastry recipes.
Mother
A mother’s love is something that no one can explain;
it is made of deep devotion and of sacrifice and pain.
It is endless and unselfish and enduring come what may,
for nothing can destroy it or take that love away.
By Helen Steiner Rice
Love, Richard and Eileen, Harvey and Jill, and Cindy and Calvin
My Grandma
I loved to come to visit, spending time with you.
It never even mattered just what we choose to do.
For love was all around us, and warmth was everywhere.
And every moment spent with you, I felt your loving care.
Love, Tammy, Chris, Dana, Kim, Nathan, Kyle, and David