Eveno, Edna Georgina
December 13, 1924 ~ July 15, 2009
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Edna Georgina Eveno, nicknamed “Pussycat” at Nanaimo Travellers Lodge. She leaves behind her daughter Judye Daley-Johnson and son-in-law Ken Johnson.
Edna was predeceased by her son Gregory in 1989, her husband Nick in 1990, and her mother Jessie Kelly in 2000.
Edna was born in Montreal. She told many fascinating stories of growing up in Swastika, Ontario during the gold strikes. She was so proud to have served in the Canadian Army during the Second World War from 1943 to 1946, attaining the rank of Sergeant. During that time she was a guard, an X-ray assistant, and a medical clerk. “Eddie”, as she was known by her comrades, was scheduled to go overseas, but suffered a life-threatening infection as a result of a tonsillectomy. She was one of the first army personnel to be saved by penicillin. Eddie remained in Canada and returned to civil life on demobilization. She moved across Canada, finally marrying and starting a family in Calgary. Later they relocated to the Frazer Valley. Edna came to Nanaimo in 2006 to join her daughter and son-in-law.
Although she never bragged about it, Edna is a descendant of two great Canadians: Sir William Osler, the Father of Modern Medicine, and Mary Pickford, of Hollywood fame. Edna’s mother and Mary were cousins who performed on stage when they were young girls living in Toronto.
Edna always took great delight in life’s simple pleasures of gardening, cooking, music, animals and her home. She was an accomplished artist. She loved color and sparkle, and surrounded herself with them always. She was so much younger at heart than her 84 years. Her energy and enthusiasm amazed us.
Judye and Ken would like to express their appreciation to the wonderful staff at Travellers Lodge for enriching Edna’s life and for providing excellent care, and to the resident cat, Shadow, for being there at the end. We would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Henrik Reems.
A service will be held at Cedar Valley Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Nanaimo SPCA.
“Happy Trails, Pussycat. All is well”
Sands ~ Nanaimo
(250) 753-2032