November 10, 1922 - December 2, 2020
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Eva Ellen Morris, formerly of Sylvan Lake, Blackfalds, and Red Deer, Alberta, on December 2, 2020 at the age of 98.
She was born in Red Deer, Alberta, to parents Clifford and Hazel Braithwaite, prominent citizens of Red Deer and area, both extensively involved in the farming community. Clifford was also a long-time counselor with the Municipal District of Red Deer well into his later years. While in her 60s Hazel purchased and then operated the Uptown Café and Theatre in Sylvan Lake.
Eva grew up on the family homestead in the Shady Nook area west of Penhold, which straddled the Red Deer river with the homesite on the west side. The two-room house was shared by her parents, four brothers and one sister, as well as one grandmother for a time.
Eva married Frank Johnson in 1942 and they lived briefly on a farm south of Sylvan Lake with Frank's parents, Fredrick and Lena Johnson, before moving to their own mixed cattle and grain farm nearby where they raised purebred shorthorn cattle, initially imported by Frank and his father from Scotland, as well as a few dairy cows, horses and other animals.
Frank and Eva had four children, David, Beverly, Clifford, and Valerie. In 1962 they moved to a smaller farm east of Sylvan Lake and later into Sylvan Lake. Eva worked for a time at both McCutcheon Agencies and the Sylvan Lake News. She later moved to Red Deer and worked in administration at the Lindsay Thurber High School. Eva married Earl Morris of Blackfalds in 1975. Following his death in 1984 she moved back to Red Deer.
Eva was a very kind person and an exceptional mother to her children, caring for her family through both good and sometimes difficult times. She was a gifted seamstress and loved to dance, particularly square dance. She sewed some seventy of her own outfits which she later donated to the drama department of the Innisfail high School. She belonged to the Golden Circle club in Red Deer for many years.
She is survived by her daughter Beverly Johnson, son Clifford Johnson, QC, and his wife Gail Smith; daughter-in-law Rose Johnson, sisters-in-law, Edith Braithwaite and Fay Braithwaite; grandchildren, Brian, Doug and Owen Johnson; granddaughters, Karen Davis and Sydney Johnson; great-grandchildren, Tyler Johnson, Hunter Johnson, Valerie Davis, Warren Davis; and many Johnson and Braithwaite nephews and nieces.
She will be sadly missed by her family and all who knew her. In addition to Earl, Eva was predeceased by her first husband Frank, her brothers, George, Jim, Tom and John; her sister Dorothy Kenny, her son David, and her daughter Valerie.
A limited private family gathering was held on Friday December 4, 2020. A celebration of life will be planned for Sylvan Lake in the New Year when Covid restrictions have been eased.
The family would like to thank Doctor Liu and the staff of Unit 32 of Foothills Medical Centre for the care they gave Mom in her final days.
If family and friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, c/o Tom Baker Cancer Centre, 1331 - 29 Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 4N2 Telephone: 1 (866) 412-4222. HYPERLINK "http://www.albertacancer.ca/memorial" www.albertacancer.ca/memorial, Foothills Medical Centre, HYPERLINK "https://www.calgaryhealthfoundation.ca/" https://www.calgaryhealthfoundation.ca/, or to the charity of the donor's choice.
In living memory of Eva Morris, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.