Obituary of Eva Doreen McCauley
It is with heavy hearts and a great sense of loss that we share the passing of our beautiful Mom, Eva Doreen McCauley. She passed on January 30, 2023 at Dunrovin Hospice House surrounded with love and with her daughters at her side.
Eva was born April 13, 1936 in Carrot River, Saskatchewan to Carl and Violet Milligan and was big sister to her brother Orville. The Milligan family lived and farmed in Carrot River where she attended school in a one-room school house with many of her Milligan cousins. Her best friend June McCauley and her brother Eva’s future husband Mac lived a short distant away. Stories of driving the horse and stone-boat to school and the rivalries between the farm kids and town kids painted a picture of an idyllic prairie childhood.
In 1952 the family moved to Vancouver. Eva began her waitress career at the original White Spot. This is also where she was reacquainted with Mac McCauley and they were married in September 1963. Their first daughter Gayle was born in 1964.
The young family moved to Quesnel in 1965 to start Trio Logging. Their second daughter Myrna was born shortly after their arrival. We were fortunate to have a similar upbringing to our parents with cousins next door and our grandparents down the hill. Life was simple and Mom always made it special. Mom was an extremely talented craft person. She made a special decorated birthday cake for everyone’s celebration. During later years she found she had a talent for woodwork and made many treasured items for family and friends.
Eva and Mac enjoyed a close relationship. They spent time together with friends, family, developing the property on the Barkerville Hwy, hunting and fishing. In June 1973 Dad passed away leaving Mom a single mother on a small hobby farm. Mom worked hard to provide us girls with the best life. We always had horses and other animals. Mom was a strong independent woman with much determination and talent.
Mom never skied, but drove us to Troll every weekend. She was there so much Lars said, “you are here all the time, so you might as well work here” so Mom started working at Troll Ski Resort. After we completed school Mom went back to work waitressing at Gary’s Pancake House and later Jean’s Lunch Bar until her retirement.
She was an amazing mother and was there for literally everything in our lives. At many events we would hear, “hey there’s your Mom”, and would reply, “of course there’s our Mom.” She was the Mom that drove all the kids and going home with a carload would find room for one more who needed a ride. She was active in our daily lives and If you knew us you knew Mom.
When her grandsons Josh and Travis were participating in events and sports. Grandma was there cheering them on. Time at Grandma’s was an adventure. She would do woodworking projects with them, take them on hikes to the beaver pond or snowshoeing around the pasture. She was overjoyed to welcome her great grandchildren.
It is impossible to find the words to describe the wonderful person Eva was. As a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother she taught us the value of family and love, she instilled a strong work ethic, she taught us to participate in life and have fun, “because that is what it is all about.”
Every relationship was valuable to her and she participated in her friendships which lasted a lifetime. She reached out, she kept in touch. So many people have mentioned the light she brought to their lives. How much her yearly birthday phone calls meant. When family members were dealing with illness, Eva called them weekly or daily to provide love and support.
At 65 years old she taught her herself how to use a computer and had a new method of connecting with family and friends. She sent emails out daily with notes and photos she had taken, and joined Facebook.
Our hope is that Mom knew the impact her beautiful smile, genuine kindness, and laughter had on the people she met.
In her last 8 years she developed Alzheimer’s. This is when she taught us the most valuable lessons: acceptance, to enjoy the moment and to “dance on the table.” Even though her memory was short she enjoyed her time. She loved to be out with family and friends, and was always excited to continue to participate in life.
Eva will forever be in the hearts of her family: daughters Gayle (Ron) Campbell and Myrna McCauley, grandsons Josh (Rachelle) Campbell and Travis (Vanessa) Campbell, and great grandchildren Zaidee, Jake, Liv and Ellie.
Eva also leaves to mourn her sisters-in-laws Phyllis (George) Herman, Sandra Milligan (John) and brother-in-law Bill McCauley (Gerlinda) and many nephews and nieces.
Eva was predeceased by her husband Mac McCauley, her parents Carl and Violet Milligan and brother Orville Milligan.
The family would like to thank the staff at GR Baker and Dunrovin Hospice House for their support and care of Mom. We would also like to thank family and friends for your support and love during this most difficult time. Special thank you to Jacquie, Kim and Aunty Sandra.
At Mom’s request there will be no service. In lieu of flowers those who wish may make donations to the Quesnel Community Foundation or the Alzheimer’s Society.