Obituaries

EVELYN BLANCHE CLIFT

1941 – 2020

Evelyn passed away peacefully at Oakview Place Personal Care Home on October 15, 2020 after suffering four years of severe dementia. She leaves behind her loving husband Patrick who describes Blanche as his high school sweetheart, his spiritual leader, his wonderful lover, his wife of fifty-five years, mother of his beautiful daughters and most importantly, his greatest friend.

Evelyn leaves behind Donna (Roy) Desrosiers and Elizabeth Clift and her stepdaughter Amanda Cannon, all of Winnipeg. She also leaves behind her brother Laurence (Lynne) Hurd and family of Surrey, BC, her sister Beverley (Randy) Oscezevski and family of Markham, ON, and her sister-in-law Doreen Heisler and family of Regina, SK.

Evelyn was predeceased by her parents Oscar and Joyce Hurd; father-in-law William and mother-in-law Florence Clift all of Melfort, Saskatchewan; and brother-in-law Edward Heisler. She left many relatives and cousins, but she particularly loved her Aunt and Uncle Bill and Bernice Hurd (deceased) and their daughter and cousin Sharon Hurd of Regina, SK. She also dearly loved her aunt Evelyn Childs (deceased).

Blanche was born on September 8, 1941 on a small farmhouse at Arborfield, Saskatchewan, following her brother Laurence into the family of Oscar and Joyce Hurd. In 1944, the family sold their farm and moved to a beautiful farm at Melfort, Saskatchewan. In 1950 the family welcomed the birth of her sister Beverley May, and in 1956 the family moved their residence to Melfort. In 1957, Blanche entered Melfort High School and in March 1959, she invited Patrick to a Sadie Hawkins event. Throughout their high school to graduation in June 1961, their love grew, as she entered the Saskatoon City Hospital Nursing Program, graduating in June 1964.

They were married on a beautiful fall day on September 4, 1965. Blanche continued her nursing career at Saskatoon City Hospital, while Patrick completed his BSA degree at the University of Saskatchewan. His career then took them to Regina and in December 1967, they were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Donna Jean.

In September 1969, the family returned to Saskatoon, where Blanche was a tremendous help to Patrick in completing his MSC.

Following Patrick’s career, they moved to Toronto in August 1971, then to Guelph, Ontario in 1972. In January 1973, they were blessed with the birth of Elizabeth Margaret. After seven wonderful years, they returned to Regina and then to Winnipeg in 1981. Throughout their life in Winnipeg, Blanche was wonderful support for the family during Patrick’s employment with Credit Union Centre Manitoba. However, in 1996, Patrick retired due to serious health problems and Blanche took over management of family affairs, solving financial problems and leaving the family in an excellent financial position.

At the same time, due to Patrick’s illness, she joined the Mood Disorders Society of Manitoba, first as a volunteer then as an employee, using her nursing background for ten years.

As Patrick improved, her health began to decline after selling their home and their condo. They moved to the Portsmouth in September of 2014. On September 4, 2015, they celebrated their 50^th Wedding Anniversary. Early 2016, she had several falls resulting in concussions and spent most of 2016 in Grace Hospital, where she was diagnosed with Dementia. She was then placed in Oakview Place Personal Care Home, where she received outstanding support and service from staff particularly on the third floor.

Blanche was an excellent bridge player, and they shared a love for concerts and many musical artists particularly, Nana Mouskouri and Eric Clapton with his famous song “Tears in Heaven.” Blanche was a strong Christian believer, and her favourite scripture was John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life….The family knows she is with the Lord and there is no more pain.

Cremation has taken place through Wojcik’s Funeral Chapel.

Donations to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba and the Mood Disorders Society of Manitoba would be much appreciated.

Family memorial service planned for early 2021 by zoom.