On June 9, 2015, with all the grace and dignity she brought to her life, Mavis Evans (nee Kyle) passed away with Peter, her husband of 14 years, by her side. Mavis was pre-deceased by her parents Alvin and Oriole, her brothers Dean, Bruce and Wayne, step-son Mark Evans, nephew Bob Kyle and niece Ashley Kyle-Tyndale. She leaves to mourn her passing her husband Peter and her step children Craig (Glenda) and Scott (Sharon.) Mavis was delighted to share Peter's grandchildren; Jennifer, Leanne, Mathew, Michelle and Walker. Mavis will be missed by her brother Larry (Elva), sisters-in-law Georgina Kyle, Ellen Phelps and Danna Armstrong, and Peter's brothers, Ian (Glenna) Evans and Randall (Helen) Evans. Seven nieces and six nephews held a special place in Mavis' heart and she in theirs.
Following her distinguished career in nursing, Mavis accepted an appointment in 1969 as a lecturer with the College of Nursing at the University of Saskatchewan. Mavis became an Assistant and Associate Professor and ultimately a tenured professor in 1979. Mavis also served as Assistant Dean of the College of Nursing at the University from 1981 to 1986 and became Professor Emeritus upon her retirement. During her academic career, Mavis wrote and/or presented more than 50 technical reports and papers on nursing practice, education, trends and issues. She co-authored “Nursing Management in Canada”, a textbook widely used in Canada. Her work was important in helping establish nursing administration as a new and increasingly important aspect of health care in Canada. Mavis was a well-respected faculty member who inspired her students. She developed many professional and personal relationships, a great number of which she maintained after she retired in 1996.
Mavis married Peter in 2001 and, always the adventurer, left Saskatoon to live in Duncan, B.C. on Vancouver Island. The two of them spent 14 enjoyable years together navigating “The Tribute” around coastal waters and travelling to Mexico in the winter. Mavis always threw herself into the communities where she lived; in Saskatoon was on the board of Knox United Church, Persephone Theatre, Oliver Lodge and the Victorian Order of Nurses. In Duncan, Mavis volunteered at the Maple Bay Yacht Club, the Cowichan Valley Symphony Society and has been involved with the Duncan United Church.
Known for her professional approach, big heart, dry wit and love for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Mavis will be missed. Her passing will leave a gap in the lives of those who loved her. She would, however, expect us to carry on much the same way she did when her cancer diagnosis was confirmed - head up, smile on her face, continuing with her volunteer work, enjoying time with family and friends, having coffee with the gang, and making her famous seafood casserole.
We invite family and friends to remember Mavis and her story, and to recognize the contributions she made throughout her life at a service and reception on Monday June 29, 2015 at 1:30 pm at Duncan United Church. While Mavis loved flowers, she would prefer that you make a donation to the Cowichan District Hospital Foundation, #4 - 466 Trans Canada Hwy., Duncan B.C. V9L 3R6.