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Obituary of Evelyn Francis Byer
Evelyn was born to Carl and Annie Reesor on November 4, 1932, near Gormley, Ontario. She was the 7th of 10 children. In her younger years Evelyn had two ear surgeries that required long hospitalizations. It was the high quality care she received during these experiences that made her determined to be a nurse when she grew up.
Unable to attend high school as a teenager, she worked as a nanny and did some office work until the age of 21 when she enrolled in a course that taught all 4 years of high school in 12 months. Upon graduation she started a 3 year diploma programme at Wellesley College in Toronto and graduated in 1960 as a Registered Nurse.
Although considering missionary nursing in Africa, she instead married Art Byer of Markham, Ontario in December of 1960. Art and Evelyn did a lot of moving, which resulted in Carolyn being born in Kitchener (1963), followed by Cameron in Durham (1966), and Peter in Hanover, (1970). After more than a decade in the Hanover area where Art was transitioning from teaching to pastoring, the family moved to Bradenton, Florida, for 1 year where Art took Bible classes. In 1978 the family moved to Markham where Evelyn enjoyed nursing at Parkview Home for 7 years. Next came time in the Elmira area until the year 2000 when Art and Evelyn retired in Elora. During her "retirement" Evelyn especially loved providing daycare for her grandkids and tending to her gardens.
Evelyn loved to travel, visit and host friends and family, volunteer, sing, read and quilt. She was also very fond of natural beauty, especially flowers and trees. One of her favourite things to do in later years was go on drives to admire trees and farmer’s fields. She was known for her sourdough biscuits - which she always called ‘rigs’, and could often be found passing them out to neighbours. She was friendly and thoughtful - always doing kind things to express her care for her family, neighbours, those in need, and her many friends at Parkview and beyond.
Predeceased by her parents Carl and Annie Reesor, brothers Cecil, John, Elmer, Harold, her sister Marion, brothers-in-law Norman, Abner, Owen and Alex and sister-in-law Esther. She is remembered by her loving husband Arthur, her children Carolyn (Jeff), Cameron (Jayne), Peter (Deepa), her grandchildren Danielle, Charlotte, Alyssa (Justin), Sydney (Steve), Megan (Nolan), Calestous, Elora, her sisters Marie, Nancy, Kathryn, her brother Ken and her sisters-in-law Ruth, Anna, and Stella.
Family and Friends will be received at the Rouge Valley Mennonite Church on Wednesday November 9th from 6-8pm as well as Thursday November 10th from 1:30pm until the time of Memorial Service at 2:30pm. Reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations made to the MCC or Markham Stouffville Hospital would be appreciated by the family.
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