MARY EVELYN GUNN

With love and wonderful memories, we celebrate the life of Mary Evelyn Gunn, fondly known as “Evelyn” or “Nan” to many. She passed away on July 27th, 2024 at Riverview Health Centre, at the age of 91, surrounded by her family.

Evelyn leaves behind a family who adored her. She is survived by her children, Kevin Gunn, Karen Ryz (Zane Bullock), Wesley Gunn, and Walter Gunn (Tracey Hinds); and her grandchildren, Bobbi Vicente, Robin Kelleher, Jessica Knaggs, Tanis Cormier, Kelsey Gunn, Melissa Gunn, Natasha Gunn, Aaron Hornan, Wayne Gunn, Wesley Gunn, Katherine Gunn, William Gunn, and Kaitlyn Gunn; and her many great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Wayne Gunn (1982). Nan’s life was centred around her family, and nothing brought her more joy than spending time with us. Her legacy of selfless dedication established her as the rock of our family, providing unwavering love, support, and guidance. In times of need, she was a source of wisdom and comfort, a true beacon of light in our lives. We will profoundly miss her presence.

Evelyn was born on September 18, 1932, in Blind River, Ontario, to her parents, Theresa and Arthur. She married Wayne Gunn in Iron Bridge, Ontario, on January 23, 1960. Shortly after the birth of their first son, the couple moved to Thompson, Manitoba, where they raised their four children. In November 1974, Evelyn began working as a labourer at INCO Limited, a nickel mine in Thompson now known as Vale. Over the course of 28 years, she took on many different job tasks before celebrating her retirement in August 2002.

Evelyn loved the outdoors, frequently visiting Paint Lake in Manitoba with her family. When Nan wasn’t busy with her family, she could often be found playing bingo. She also cherished animals and had many throughout her life. Her latest furry companion was her son’s dog, Bambi. In her final weeks at Riverview Health Centre, Bambi was able to visit her, bringing her great joy.

“She made broken look beautiful 

and strong look invincible. 

She walked with the universe 

on her shoulders 

and made it look like a pair of wings”.

An immense thank you to the staff of Riverview Health Centre- Unit CD1, the care and compassion she received in her short time there was greatly appreciated. 

Cremation has taken place, and a private Celebration of Life is being planned to take place in Thompson, Manitoba where she spent most of her life. An interment at Victoria Lawn Cemetery in St. Catharines, Ontario will be held at a later date, where she will be laid to rest with her husband, Wayne Gunn.

Rest in peace, Nan, your love will forever be our guiding light and we will carry your words with us forever, “It will all work out in the end.” 

Evelyn’s family kindly requests that all her friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour her memory by sharing photos, memories, and stories, using the comment section on this page.

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The Dragonfly Parable

The Water bugs lived their lives at the bottom of the pond, looking up at the wavering light of the surface. A lot of them wondered about it and some were even afraid of it because every so often one of them would climb up a stalk to the water’s surface and never be seen again.

Finally, one of the water bugs volunteered to go above the surface and come back to tell them what it was like. He climbed the stalk, and the moment he broke the surface, he was turned into a beautiful dragonfly. The light, which had been merely bright from the bottom of the pond was

dazzling and everywhere he looked he saw brilliant colors he could never have imagined before. And in place of the weight of the water, there was the astounding lightness of the air and the sound of beautiful music.

It was so wonderful he could not wait to tell all the other water bugs, but when he tried to go back down, he could not go beneath the surface. He pushed against the surface and the ripples went down and although the water bugs felt them, they did not look up, and the few who did could not see him because of the dazzling light behind him. Try as he might, he could not go back and he could not tell them to come up, and he felt sad because he thought he had failed. But another dragonfly even more beautiful than he was landed beside him and she said, “Do not be sad. All who have climbed the stalk have felt at first as you feel now.” 

And the new dragonfly said, “But they are sad for me, and they think I am gone. And when I push downward against the surface, they do not feel it. And they will never know what a joyful place this is. And they will never come here and know this happiness.” “Be happy”, said the older dragonfly, they will come. Every water bug moves toward the stalk all their life long, and when it is their time to climb, they climb it. They feel the ripples you send downward even when they do not know it. And when you fly, you fly in their dreams, and it is their dreams that will lead them upward to the light. One by one all your friends will climb the stalk and become as you, and it is the memory of your climb that will give them the courage to climb when it is their time to come and join you here.”

And the new dragonfly lifted from the water and soared in the air, and as he did, another water bug began to climb toward becoming a dragonfly.

William John Watkins

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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