Obituary of Agnes Katie Evans

Agnes Evans (Yaskowich)

Agnes Evans passed peacefully, surrounded by family, on Monday March 11. She took her last breath while listening to the conclusion of daily mass. Agnes was born April 1, 1933, to Anthony and Julia Yaskowich on the farm near Wynyard. She cherished her childhood memories and loved her siblings dearly.

She was an alumnus of St. Paul’s Hospital School of Nursing. During her training, she developed lifelong friendships with many of her colleagues. After practicing in a few areas, she found her home in the operating room at Royal University Hospital (RUH) where she worked for close to forty years. She was a competent, compassionate and calm professional with a keen whit, which was a hallmark of her character throughout life.

In 1955 she married Thomas Evans. They enjoyed many adventures together, supported and loved each other and worked hard to raise a family during their 64 years of marriage. She was an exemplary mother, had a strong faith in God and strength of spirit. Her zest for life often exceeded the limits of what one might expect a ninety-year-old to do.

Family meant everything to mom, and she ensured the house was full of love.  She had immense pride in the accomplishments of her children and grandchildren. She never missed one of our games, lessons, concerts or plays, volunteered her services as coach or score keeper, and would transport us and our friends in the little blue Volkswagen Beetle with flowers placed strategically over scratches. At Easter we were each given a series of rhymes to solve that would lead to a cache of treats. She was a talented seamstress, knitter, poet, and chef and loved the menagerie of family dogs over the years. No one left Aggie’s table hungry or without a take home package for guests. Her grandchildren insisted she made the best pancakes and banana bread. In later years, she developed a passion for Blue Jays baseball and often sported the jerseys of her favorite players. She cherished family gatherings, vacations at Waskesiu and trips to the States. She enjoyed a wee nip of single malt on occasion, was proud of her polish heritage and always willing to try something new. You learned quickly not to call during Wheel of Fortune or Jeopardy. Agnes was a member of the Catholic Women’s League (CWL) and volunteered in many capacities for the church over the years.

Agnes is survived by her four children Barb (Mark), Linda (Decker), John (Darci), Jennifer (Darryl) and four grandchildren (Hayley, Iris, Jade and Tariku) along with siblings Lucy, Syl (Linda) and Bernard (Carolyn), sisters-in-law Deloris and Janet and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents Anthony and Julia, husband Thomas and siblings Elsie, Edmund, Koni, Stan, Leon, Lawrence, Carl, Cecilia, Mary, Ted, Father Damian, and Henry in infancy.

Mom was blessed to have so many close friends over her lifetime. This strong network sustained her during life’s challenges and filled her with laughter and love. The phone calls, visits, and words of support over the past year brightened her day and were a tremendous source of joy, peace and comfort. Thank you, Judy, Pat, Rudelpha, Stella, Bev, Lorna, Gussie, Darryl and Glen, Patsy and Lloyd, the sisters of the CWL and nieces/nephews Terry, Dennis, Maureen and Paula.

Special thanks to Dr. Lee Old for the forty years of exceptional care provided to mom and your assistance in the last two weeks of her life – you truly went above and beyond. The family would also like to extend thanks to the caring, compassionate nurses that work with palliative home care – Trisha, Nina and Dennis.

A private Mass of Christian Burial, officiated by Father Clement, was held on Friday, March 15 at St. Peter the Apostle Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations would be appreciated if directed to the RUH operating room (Donate | Royal University Hospital Foundation (ruhf.org), Make a Wish Foundation of Canada (Your Donation - Make-A-Wish Canada (makeawish.ca) or Glengarda (Hospice at Glengarda | St. Paul's Hospital Foundation (stpaulshospital.org).