Mac Donald (nee Urwin), Evelyn
Ev MacDonald of Ina Grafton Gage Home in Moose Jaw passed away suddenly at the age of 92 on March 11, 2009. Ev lived all of her life in Moose Jaw. She was an avid sports woman excelling in basketball, swimming, skating, bowling, golfing (a hole-in-one) and softball. Even during her last years, she loved to take long daily walks. Ev enjoyed a game of bridge and loved playing Yahtzee with her long time friend, Mabel Archer. The highlight of Ev’s sports career was when she played “second base” for the Moose Jaw Royals Ladies Softball team in the “World Championships” in Chicago in 1938, losing out in the semi-finals. The Royals, coached by Ev’s husband and brother-in-law, Marv and Lennie, made such a hit with coaches and fans that they were invited to play exhibition games in Madison Square Gardens while the World Fair was on in New York City in 1939. Not only did they accept the invitation, their sponsor, Bill Passmore, who owned the Royal Theatre in Moose Jaw, helped to arrange a 6 week team tour for the girls to play exhibition games across Canada and the United States. Later, for family reasons, Ev turned down an offer to play ball for a ladies league in the States. She continued to play for the Moose Jaw team which, as sponsors changed, was called “Eilers Jewels” and then “The Uptowns”. Ev and her husband owned and operated the Uptown Café and later the 722 Café. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband Marvin, her son Barry, sisters Doris and Chick, and brother Tommy. Ev is survived by her children: June (Jerry) Beisel of Turtleford, SK; Penny (Don) McLaughlin of Lacombe, AB; Jan (Rusty) Reilly of Grand Prairie, AB; daughter-in-law Jody Cronquist of Kelowna, BC; 9 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, sisters Edythe McLean of Moose Jaw and Nora Huber of Victoria, BC, and brother Harry Urwin of Fort McLeod, AB, as well as several nieces, nephews and special friends. The family extends sincere thanks to the staff at Ina Grafton. To respect Ev’s wishes, there will be no funeral service. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make a donation to the Moose Jaw Multiplex or the charity of your choice.
Parkview Funeral Chapel
474 Hochelaga St. W. Moose Jaw, SK
(306) 694-5500
Please see our book of Condolences at www. parkviewfuneralchapel.ca