Evelyn May (McRae) Coleman

Mrs. Evelyn Coleman, beloved wife of the late Mr. Bill Coleman (d. 2014), dear mother of Kerry (Marsha) and Lynn (Anita), passed away at the Delwynda Court Personal Care Home, Deloraine, MB. on Sunday, April 2, 2023 at the age of 93.

Evelyn was born in Elva, MB, to Jim and Lila (Bacon) McRae, eldest of 6 children.  Evelyn started school in 1935, taking her schooling in Elva.  She loved all kinds of sports.  Following school, she moved to Winnipeg, working in an office until 1951.

On October 20th, 1951, she married Bill Coleman of Waskada in the United Church in Elva.  They farmed south of Melita in the Peninsula District.  They had one daughter, Karen (deceased), and two sons, Kerry and Lynn.

She belonged to the Peninsula Club, the Women’s Institute, and joined the Royal Canadian Legion Auxiliary, receiving her 50 year pin in 2003, was a Past President and was always interested in all phases of the Legion.  She also belonged to the Rebekah Lodge.  She enjoyed curling and bowling and all activities of her family.

Evelyn and Bill liked to travel and went on many trips; one to Ireland and Scotland, to the southern States, east and west coasts, and a trip that meant a lot to them was the Thank You Canada Legion trip to Holland in 1995.

Evelyn is survived by her two sons, Kerry (Marsha) of Crystal City, and Lynn (Anita) of Winnipeg; five grandchildren, Brandie Singh (Jason McCullough), Christie (Derek) Atkinson, Jim Coleman, Jaclyn Coleman (Greg Schellenberg), Jessica Coleman (Simon Barber-Dueck); great-grandchildren, Brayden, Austin, and Cohen Atkinson, Alexandria (Lexi) and Ashton Singh, Arthur Barber-Coleman; sisters-in-law, Lorraine McRae and Doreen McRae; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

She was predeceased by an infant daughter, Karen; her parents, Jim and Lila McRae; sisters, Beatrice Smith and Ramona Romas; brothers, Earl, Brent, and Jim McRae; nephew, Jim McRae; in-laws, Marilyn McRae, Richard Smith, Ernie Romas, six of Bill’s brothers,  Marion (Ross) Neale and Alice Coleman.

The service to celebrate Evelyn's life was held at Redpath Funeral Home, Melita, MB. on Monday, April 10, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. The interment followed at the Melita Cemetery.

Donations in memory of Evelyn can be directed to Diabetes Canada, Brandon (Westman) Branch & District Office, Unit A1 - 800 Rosser Avenue, The Town Centre, Brandon, MB. R7A 6N5 or Melita Royal Canadian Legion Branch #127, Box 359, Melita, MB. R0M 1L0.

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