Norma Gladys Evans

Norma Gladys Evans (Poole), age 86, passed away December 24th, 2025 at her residence in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. 

Norma was born in Stoughton, Saskatchewan September 20, 1939 - the youngest of three daughters - to Irene Poole (Hobbs) a nurse/mid-wife/home maker and George Poole, who Norma ‘met’ as a girl of 5 when he returned to his family after serving in WWII. Norma had many memories of growing up helping to run the town’s switchboard office situated in their home - a business awarded her father for his years in service.

 Norma left her hometown to study as a nurse at the University of Saskatchewan where her future husband, Ron Evans of Kenaston, Saskatchewan, was finishing his studies in divinity. They married the summer after Norma graduated, and the couple moved to Rocanville, Saskatchewan where Ron worked as the community’s minister in the United Church and Norma worked as a public health nurse. Their first child Aaron was born soon after. 

The young family moved to Berkeley, California in 1966 where Norma worked at the Kingsview Mental Health Center in Reedley and Ron continued his work and studies. Their second child Suzanne was born. Berkeley in the 60’s was a big change from the small community life they both had grown up in, and this time was a period of adventure and discovery for them both. Planning to stay 2 years, they stayed for nearly 10 and developed a relationship together based in creativity, community care and celebration through life, food, music and fellowship. 

Norma enjoyed her work and moved into a new chapter of her career when the family returned to Saskatchewan where she worked nearly 30 years as an assessor at Home Care in Saskatoon. Their home on Riel Crescent was a welcoming household rich with their shared creative projects and a strong community of friends who were very important to them. Norma was busy outside of her working life in ever growing and sharing her skills: cooking classes, produce and flower gardens, sewing projects, lace making, straw weaving etc. We have all enjoyed some fruits of her endeavours. In these years the couple also went on a number of adventures - trips to Turkey, Greece, Israel, Egypt, England, Tanzania, Europe, northern Saskatchewan.

Norma was often found after hours in her resplendent gardens. Her studies as a Master Gardener were put into play with the design and installation of the landscaping for their new home built in Shields, outside of Saskatoon, where they moved in 2000. Norma talked about how much she enjoyed the 45 minute commute she made through the prairie from Shields into Saskatoon through the later years of her career, observing the light and the bird and plant life changing through the seasons. 

Norma’s retirement years were filled with time spent in her garden as well as helping others in their own, with her role as grandma to Aaron’s three kids and with her community of friends. Due to changes in Ron’s health, Ron and Norma left Shields in 2016 to move to an apartment at Luther Terrace in Saskatoon. Norma was diagnosed with Alzheimer's two years later and moved to Luther Care home with the start of covid/Ron’s death in 2020. 

Norma was a capable, gracious and caring person. Her inner life was always a little private, but her quiet confidence and skillfulness were valued and respected by the people around her. Her final years were characterized by the same kindness, warmth, and gentleness that were always her way. 

She was predeceased by her parents, her elder sister Robina and her husband Ron. She is missed by her son Aaron, his wife Melissa (Flowers), her three grandchildren Jackson, Harrison and Madeleine and by her daughter Suzanne.