Roach, Evelyn Aline - of Amherst passed away peacefully in the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre on September 14, 2010 after a courageous battle with cancer.
Born in Amherst on May 4, 1928, she was a daughter of the late Earl and Ella (Milner) Roach.
She left school in grade six to work on the small family farm, left home at age 15, and later worked at Sifto Salt Company in Nappan. She loved to drive - car, truck, tractor, but especially her motor home which she and her friend Beryl took to Arizona for 30 winters. As a teen Evelyn provided great entertainment when she drove a farm horse in the relay races of the Atlantic Winter Fair. She also was a well known hockey player and stock car driver, winning many championships. In 1961 Evelyn opened a small grocery store on West Victoria Street, but soon owned a larger one on South Albion Street. She then built the Barrel Drive-In Restaurant and operated a campground beside it. The restaurant was later converted to a laundromat and is now operated as George's Barrell Laundromat.
She is survived by her friend Beryl Rushton in The Mira Nursing Home, Truro, brother Ross (Geraldine), Prince George, BC and sister Joan (Donald) Embree, Halifax, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by sister Grace (Fillmore) Doiron and brother Robert.
Cremation has taken place under the direction of Furlong~Jones Funeral Home, 70 Church St., Amherst, NS (902-667-8777) where a memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 18, 2010 at 11 am, Deacon Howard Gottell officiating. A reception will follow at the Funeral Home. Burial of the ashes will take place in the Amherst Cemetery following the reception.
Family flowers only. Special thanks for the compassionate palliative care given by the staff of the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre who made Evelyn's time there as comfortable as possible.
Donations in Evelyn's memory may be made to Cumberland County Hospice Palliative Care Society or the charity of your choice.
www.furlongjones.ca