Evans – It is with great sadness the family of Jody Lea Evans announce her sudden passing, at Sunrise Gardens in Brooks on April 21, 2023 at the age of 53 years. Jody was born on January 27, 1970, in Bassano to Barry and Grace Evans. She received her schooling in Bassano, Rosemary and later Brooks where she boarded with a former Bassano resident. Jody later lived in an apartment of her own under the supervision of COMACT also known as Newell Community Action Group where Luanne Smith worked. During this time, Jody was involved with Special People Enjoying Children Program (SPEC), Special Olympics and also volunteered at the nursing home and held part-time jobs. She spent weekends at home in Bassano, and on Saturdays helped out in Gary and Sheila’s bakery. In the fall of 1991, Jody moved to Calgary to board with Luanne who had moved there to further her career. Luanne spent time familiarizing Jody with the transit system while looking for a suitable, permanent living arrangement for Jody. Jody joined the Development Disabilities Resource Centre of Calgary, where they helped her find jobs. To name a couple, Advance Industries and Old Navy. In November of 1992, Jody moved in to the L’arche Community and happily resided there for 30 years. Jody participated in L’Arche Community activities such as prayer night, retreats, Winter Games and worked on several committees. In 1999 she was select to attend the L’Arche Community World Conference in France. Through L’Arche, Jody has also visited another community in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. She loved to travel and always enjoyed the group’s summer vacations in which she helped plan. Besides her jobs and community activities, Jody enjoyed bowling, softball, golf and soccer with the Special Olympics. Jody still continued to spend time with family, but expressed how happy she was living in the L’Arche Community. Jody would travel by Greyhound Bus to Bassano, until the depot closed, then by J & L Shuttle staying at the farm till her mom passed in 2002 and then with her sisters. Jody loved animals especially dogs, cranking her boom box and dancing and going to Tim Hortons for coffee. In November of 2022, Jody moved to Sunrise Gardens in Brooks. On Christmas Day she fell and broke her hip and although her hip replacement healed, she was never able to walk again. Jody’s last day was spent with Wendy and Gary enjoying a trip to Medicine Hat. Lunch at Tim’s and on the road home Jody serenaded them with “You are my Sunshine”, “Jesus Loves Me” and “Tomorrow” it was a great day. She is survived by her loving family, sister Wendy Lee and her husband Gary; brother Gary Evans and his wife Sheila; brother Hal Evans and brother-in-law Duncan McQuilkan; nephew Keith (Mindy) Evans and family; nieces, Carla (Jose) Rabadan and family all of Bassano and Krista Evans of Medicine Hat. Jody is also survived by her loving and caring L’Arche Family of Calgary. Jody was predeceased by her parents, Barry and Grace, brother Randy Evans, sister Lorraine McQuilkan and niece Kaitlin Lee. Jody will be fondly remembered for her beautiful smile, warm loving hugs and always saying she loved you! Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 5 at 2:00 PM from the Knox Presbyterian Church. Rev. Peter Baek officiating. Interment at Bassano Cemetery. In memory of Jody, if friends desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Bassano Knox Presbyterian Church, Box 566, Bassano, Alberta T0J 0B0 or L’Arche Calgary, 307 57 Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta T2H 2T6.
Cremation is entrusted to and conducted at
Smith Funeral Home Ltd., Brooks
Funeral arrangements entrusted to:
SMITH FUNERAL HOME LTD.
BROOKS, ALBERTA
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