Obituary of Georgina Caroline Evans

Family was everything to Carole and on Friday, September 13^th after the gathering of so many family members, she passed away peacefully, following a very long battle with kidney disease.  Born on July 30^th, 1936, in Vancouver, Carole was the eldest of five children to Edward and Freida-Anne “Nancy” Green, Carole spent the early years of her life living in Vancouver, Saskatchewan and Vancouver Island.  She met the love of her life, Alvin Evans, in Qualicum, BC, where they were both attending high school.  They were married on January 14^th, 1956, and this year celebrated 68 years of marriage. Carole attended UBC Sauder School of Business and Pitman Business College in Vancouver.  She chose such an appropriate career path and was a meticulous, extremely organized secretary.

In 1957, Al and Carole welcomed their first born, Raymond, followed two years later by Michael, and then Lorinda, in 1961, in Nanaimo, BC.   Carole was a stay at home mom during her children’s early years and volunteered for all their activities.  She always taught her children to have a positive outlook and to do their very best in everything, whether it was in school, sports or everyday living.  The family relocated from Vancouver Island to Cranbrook in 1973, where Carole spent many years working for the School District in libraries and front offices.  She loved working in the schools and was valuable to both teachers and students. She completed her career in Cranbrook in 1986 as school secretary at Laurie Junior High. It was at this time that Al accepted a position in Burnaby and they left the Kootenays.  She continued working in schools at the coast until they both retired in their early 50’s in 1989.  Al and Carole travelled extensively, particularly loved cruising and enjoyed more then 28 years as snowbirds in Arizona.  They were very active in Yuma, making many great friends, and had a very full life there during the winters. But when they came back to Canada each April, it was all about family. Much to the excitement of all, they returned to live in Cranbrook in 1998.  As one of their granddaughters said just this past week, Grandma was the light and Grandpa the glue.   That light will continue to shine in her three children, nine grandchildren, and eighteen great-grandchildren. She was so proud of them all and nothing brought her more joy than watching her family grow.

Carole loved Broadway musicals, was a great baker and cook, had an infectious sense of humour and loved to laugh.  She also volunteered extensively, was game for almost anything, was the definition of a true nurturer, and unselfishly always worried and thought about all her “children” big and small.

Carole gave her family the special gift of time during her final days, giving them the opportunity to come together to say goodbye, share very special memories and to be reminded of the importance of laughter.  She wanted to always be surrounded by family and her legacy is reminding us to continue that with passion.

Left to love and remember her always is her husband Al, three children, Ray (Judy), Mike (Laura) and Lorinda (Jay) Nelson.  Grandchildren Sean (Jessica) Evans, Erin (Brandon) Pighin, Kristin Evans, James (Kara) Evans, Sandra (Brandon) Shaw, Lisa (Ernst) Rast, Andrea (Dustin) Gotaas, Lori (Lane) Wilson, Mike (Alicia) Nelson and Anael McIver.  Her great-grandchildren Aiden, Paityn, Paisley, Jayce, Ariana, Cohen, Connor, Alyssa, Kade, Hayden, Keaira, Hunter, Ernst, Grace, Gunnar, Blake, Christopher and Parker, who all affectionately called her G-mama.

The family wishes to thank the Kidney Clinic in Cranbrook, Cranbrook Home Health Team, the Ambulatory Care Clinic at EK Regional Hospital and the doctors for the unwavering care over the years.  They also thank the doctors and nurses on the 3^rd floor of EK Regional Hospital for the care these past three weeks.  Carole always showed amazing strength and courage through her health challenges and never uttered a complaint, regardless of the continued obstacles.  Al was Carole’s caregiver since her cancer diagnosis in 2008 and his exemplary, loving care is why she lived so many good years since.  We as a family will be forever grateful to him for those extra years where mom got to experience so much of family and be present for many events and celebrations.

Carole was predeceased by her father Edward Green, mother Freida-Anne Green (Nelson), brothers Freddie, Edward and Gary Green.  There will be no service, at Carole’s request. Her hope was for a family gathering similar to the ones that brought her so much joy and happiness.

It was Carole’s wish that any memorial tributes be made in the form of charitable donations to the Kidney Foundation of Canada – BC Yukon Region.