Obituary of Jeanette Elizabeth WHITE-EVANS

November 24, 1947 - Toronto, Ontario

February 13, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Jeanette White-Evans. At the age of 73, Jeanette passed away peacefully in her sleep on February 13, 2021 in Calgary, AB.

Jeanette was born November 24, 1947 in Toronto to Elizabeth (Betty) and Donald Hossack. Jeanette grew up in the suburbs of Toronto. Shortly after she graduated from high school, the family decided it was time to join other family and move west to Priddis, AB. While in Priddis, Jeanette was able to indulge in her love of horses and riding in the company of her sister Susan (Erickson), and her cousins, Rick (Reid), Diane (Hambling), and Doug (Reid). Not long after coming to Priddis, Jeanette was married and moved to Calgary to begin her family.

Jeanette was a selfless and loving person who cherished her children and extended family more than anything. Only recently retiring, Jeanette worked tirelessly as a single parent to provide all the “wants and wishes” of her four children, Dave White, Jamie White, Bob White, and Tom Evans. Diligently working two separate careers in her lifetime; owning her own transportation company contracted by the Calgary Herald and working her way up through Calgary Co-Op, Jeanette’s children were provided with all that they needed to succeed and begin their own families. In her later years of life, Jeanette invested her time and care in being a grandmother to her eleven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

A steady and calming presence throughout her children’s lives, Jeanette led by example and showed her children independence, resiliency, and an exemplary work ethic. No problem was too big for Jeanette to solve. She would exhaust all avenues of resolution independently before asking someone for help. She was stubborn that way. A stubbornness that her children now understand was a by-product of her survival as a single mother of four. Jeanette was an animal lover and her home always consisted of family dogs, ranging from Labradors, Huskies, and Malamutes to energetic pairs of Border Collies that provided companionship and security after her children had grown and left home. Jeanette was a talented cook, baker, artist, and had an incredible green thumb. The plants, flowers, and fruit trees that plot the landscape of Jeanette’s home were her passion hobby. Her children will miss her yearly spring gift of tomato plants, helpful gardening advice and the surprise planter boxes to expand our own gardens.

Jeanette never showed up empty handed anywhere. When arriving for family dinners or weekend visits, her vehicle would be packed with wine, specialty spices, and delicious foods she had kindly made or found at a local shop, usually with a note of any special ingredients and supplies that were required to make it ourselves. Jeanette was often a woman of few words, but her actions spoke volumes. Her gifts exemplified her kind and giving heart and her patient listening ear. Despite living with little of her own “wants and wish items”, Jeanette made yearly charitable donations to our local Mustard Seed and YWCA in the family name. Always giving and never asking for anything in return.

Jeanette was the type of woman, when in her last days and surrounded by strangers and without family, due to COVID, had her children drop off materials at the hospital so she could make the attending nurses crochet gifts. She loved to knit, crochet, and to build beautiful textiles. If Jeanette were sitting for an extended period of time you could bet her hands would be busy putting time and care into a grandchild’s afghan, toque, pair of slippers, or custom clothing request. She was a true and modest artist at heart.

She will be greatly missed by her family and the memories of her will be cherished for a lifetime.

To friends and family who wish to attend a celebration of Jeanette’s life, please email blluewitch@gmail.com if you would like to be considered for attendance when restrictions have been lifted and it is safe to gather and celebrate Jeanette White-Evans. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Jeanette’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

In living memory of Jeanette White-Evans , a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.