Obituary of Eva Louise Purvis

PURVIS: After a very full and rewarding life, Eva Louise Purvis (née Daudet) passed away peacefully at Hillcrest Personal Care Home in Brandon, MB on October 31, 2014. Among those left to cherish her memory are her two daughters, Evelyn Povey and Deborah Jackson, as well as sons-in-law Ron Povey and Garth Jackson, grandchildren Jana-Leigh, Daralyn and Mathew Povey, Derek (Shannon), Kayla and Alissa Jackson and great-grandchildren Summer and Maddox and step great grandchildren Nick and Dylen. Eva was born to Pierre and Marie Daudet of Notre Dame de Lourdes on September 15, 1921. She was a younger sister to Yvonne who predeceased her in Victoria, BC in 2013. Eva met her future husband, Gordon Purvis of Holland, MB, in Winnipeg at the outbreak of WWII. They married, and she waited at home for him until war's end. When war ended, Eva and Gordon lived in several locations – including Winnipeg, Holland, MB, and finally Brandon where they partnered with Bob and Louella Gartry to run the Greyhound Bus Depot on 11th and Princess. They retired in 1979 and established a routine of winters in Arizona and summers in Clear Lake, MB for 21 years until Gordon's death in September 2000. Eva continued travelling to Arizona and summering at Clear Lake well into her eighties, until failing sight forced her to move to Victoria Landing and then Hillcrest. Mom was a remarkable person. Early in life she recognized the importance of being bilingual and asked the Sisters to teach her English after school. She excelled playing Duplicate Bridge and became an International Grand Master, establishing a Duplicate Bridge club in her home in Brandon. Wintering in Arizona meant staying active, and she and Gordon played shuffleboard for Tower Point Resort, winning a number of league, state and national championships. Together, they represented Canada in the Senior Olympics held in Yokahama, Japan in 1988, winning the gold medal for shuffleboard. She loved to have fun and to entertain, especially at family gatherings. She loved travelling, laughter and being generous to her children and grandchildren. The family wishes to express their gratitude to her care givers at Hillcrest and to everyone who has expressed their condolences to us at this time of sorrow. A memorial service celebrating Eva's life will be held at the Brockie Donovan Chapel, 332-8th Street, Brandon, Manitoba, on Monday, December 22, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. with The Rev. Canon Jim Brown officiating. Donations in memory of Eva may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, 415-1st Street, Brandon, MB, R7A 2W8, the CNIB, 354-10th Street, Brandon, MB, R7A 4G1, or to a charity of choice.