Clara Evelyn Pickersgill, of High River, passed away at Tudor Manor, Okotoks, on November 2, 2016 at age 89.  Ev was born in Vancouver, BC in 1927 to Swedish immigrant parents, John and Clara Olson.  She spent her childhood on a farm near Blackie, Alberta where she attended Rockafellow school until 1940 when her father died.  The family then moved into Blackie, where she completed her schooling.  Evelyn worked at the Foothills Health Unit in High River as Secretary-Technician and married Jack Pickersgill in 1950.  Jack died in 2009 and she remained in High River until the flood of 2013 displaced her to Okotoks.  Although dementia took its toll, it didn’t stop her from bringing a ray of sunshine to Tudor Manor, where she received excellent care.

Evelyn will be dearly missed by her children:  Ken of Calgary, Janice Weir (Mike) of Nanaimo and Glen of High River, as well as her grandchildren Jeff and Jamie Weir.  Also surviving are her dear sisters:  Margaret Shaddick (children Barb & Brad) and Marie Olson of Calgary.  Also left to mourn are her in-law families: the Barnetts, Coueys, McIntyres, McNairs, Nicholls, P. Pickersgills and Pringles, as well as many friends.  

Evelyn’s main interests were family, music and art.  She trained at the Banff School of Fine Arts and belonged to various sketch clubs.  She shared her musical talent with the community, as organist for weddings and funerals, and singing in choirs, quartets and theatrical productions.  She was a pianist with Pickersgill’s dance band, providing entertainment throughout the region.  Evelyn had a flair for fashion and design and supported the family business in many ways.  Ev loved to travel, particularly to her “paradise” Hawaii, as well as trips to Sweden, Britain and China.  Her home was very dear, and no matter how wonderful those far-away places were, there was “no place like home” — in High River.  

A Memorial Service will be held at Snodgrass Funeral Chapel, 301 Macleod Trail, High River, on Saturday, November 19, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. with Reverend Beaman officiating.  Ev and Jack’s remains will rest together at Highwood Cemetery, High River.  Flowers are gratefully declined.  If desired, memorial donations may be considered to the High River District Health Foundation, 560 - 9 Ave. SW, High River, AB T1V 1B3 or to Heaven Can Wait: Animal Rescue Foundation, Box 6131, High River, AB T1V 1P7.  To email condolences, please visit http://www.snodgrassfuneralhomes.com.  Arrangements by Snodgrass Funeral Home, High River, 403-652-2222.