Obituary of Evelyn Massett

Please click here to view the livestream of the Service

Please click here to view the online photobook

Evelyn Elizabeth Massett (nee Sweet)

December 28, 1934 – September 8, 2022

Mom. Grandma. Great-Grandma. Sister. Aunt. Cousin. Friend.

It is with great sadness that Evelyn Massett’s family announces her passing on September 8, 2022 at the age of 87 years.

Evelyn spent her entire life thinking about others before herself. If it meant she would go without, so be it. She always made sure everyone else had what they needed, because the happiness of others meant more to her than anything. Evelyn didn’t have a negative bone in her body, and always tried to make people feel comfortable.

She was kind, understanding and accepting, and she didn’t judge others. Evelyn was so welcoming and always had an open-door policy. If anyone needed a place to stay, her door was always open, and the coffee was always on. She was shy and gentle but loved getting to know people. Evelyn was known for her sense of humour and teasing ways. You never knew what was going to come out of her mouth next and she loved seeing people’s reactions. When she smiled her beautiful blue eyes would crinkle in the corners, and she had an honest, cheerful laugh that made everyone laugh along with her. Evelyn always tried to get the last word in and went along with other people’s jokes because she was always up for anything. People just loved being around her.

Evelyn loved children. Her grandkids and great-grandkids were her pride and joy. Their visits and phone calls were the highlights of her days, and she always looked forward to hearing their stories and all about their lives. Evelyn managed to keep up to their jokes with her own witty one-liners and quick replies as only she could. You could tell that there was mutual love and adoration between them. She was a very special lady in their lives.

Evelyn also loved animals, and animals loved her. Cats, dogs, rabbits, birds, guinea pigs... she always managed to ‘collect’ or ‘inherit’ stray cats and dogs because she said they needed love too. We know that Lulu, Thumper, JJ, Buddy, Cindy, Molly, Grizz and Tuffy greeted her on their side of the rainbow bridge.

Evelyn called her home her ‘safe haven’, and truly enjoyed spending time in her favourite chair with a true crime book. Sometimes, she would eat popcorn for supper while she watched the weekly Polka Party on Access TV. Evelyn knitted dishcloths and clothing for family and friends and read books about the Royal Family. She had always loved grain elevators and collected figurines for many years. Evelyn made a mean spaghetti and stew, and always made sure everyone enjoying her cooking had a full belly.

Evelyn was born and raised in Regina and attended Balfour Collegiate. She met her husband, Joe, through friends and one of their dates was a real adventure, when he took her to the garbage dump. They were married for 38 years, so he must have really wooed her that evening. Evelyn enjoyed listening to music, with some of her favourite artists being John Conley, Freddie Fender, The Rankins and The Mavericks. She always had the radio on in the kitchen. Evelyn spent many years working at SIIDS Sunflower Seeds and Sears, where she formed many special friendships. She also babysat children, a job she absolutely loved. Evelyn spent almost sixty years living in two different houses on the very same lot. The first had no running water, so she would haul water from the pump blocks away. When she and Joe built their new home on that lot, she made sure it had running water. Evelyn never had a driver’s license, in fact – the one time she got behind the wheel she almost hit a telephone pole in a field. That was her first and last time in the driver’s seat. But she was a great backseat driver, or so she thought.

Evelyn’s life centred around raising the five children she shared with Joe. She lived for them. When they were younger, the children would eat first, and if there was anything left – she would sit down to a small meal. They camped often as a family and made memories at Rowan’s Ravine, Oyama, Buffalo Pound and Pasqua Lake. She always made sure they knew how loved they were and tried to make each of them feel special.

Evelyn was our family’s rock, so it seems fitting she shares the day of her passing with HRH Queen Elizabeth II.

Her passing has left a large hole in our hearts, and of those who knew her, whether it was for a short or long time. Our hearts ache in the loss of Evelyn, but we know that she will be watching over us as our forever angel.

Rest well. You were and are so very loved.

“You are so beautiful”.

Evelyn was predeceased by her husband Joe; son Larry (Kathy); daughter-in-law Liz; parents Hughie and Annie Sweet; brother Hughie; sisters Dorothy (Burt), Annie (Gordie), Loretta, Mabel (Harold), and Joan; and sister-in-law Katherine.

Evelyn will be forever remembered and missed by her children Lonnie, Joanne (Dale) Bucsis, Audrey (Wade), and Patty (Mark) Lemioer; grandchildren Candice, Dean, Jeremy, Jenn (Shaun), Courtney, Justin, and Joee (Cole); great-grandchildren Lisa, Eric, Emily, Evangeline, Kailey, Lexie, and Landen; sisters-in-law Alice Sweet, and Marguerite (Ray) Obyrne; and brother-in-law Richard Coleman. Evelyn will also be forever remembered by her numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends who she loved dearly.

Celebration of Life will be held at Speers Funeral Chapel, 2136 College Avenue, Regina, SK on Thursday, September 15 at 1:00 p.m. at 1:00 p.m. Please wear something green, as it was her very favourite colour.

In Evelyn’s memory, please consider a donation in her name to Palliative Care 3A Pasqua Hospital, 4101 Dewdney Avenue, Regina, SK S4T 1A5 or to your local animal rescue, because “they need love too”.