Evelyn Mary Payne

September 13, 1921 – April 28, 2016

Our mother loved a good joke, took great pleasure in playing piano and singing, but most of all she loved people. Evelyn (Lynn) Mary Payne, a proud resident of the Kipnes Veterans Centre, passed away April 28, 2016 at the age of 94 years.

Born on September 13th 1921, Lynn grew up in Eastbourne, Sussex, England. She studied nursing, but before graduating chose to join the British army. Stationed at Benfleet she was a member of the 461 Searchlight Battery, Royal Sussex Regiment. It was during the war she met and married a Canadian, Robert (Bob) Oliver Payne. While England was her birthplace, Canada became her true home.

Lynn and Bob started their life together in the Crowsnest Pass and over the years lived in British Columbia and Alberta. In Kimberley B.C. they owned a bus line, and Lynn was one of the first women licenced to drive the large buses. Moving to Coleman in the Crowsnest Pass in 1967, they returned to the place they loved most. Lynn became an integral member of the community establishing life-long friendships.

At age 87, Lynn’s arthritis dictated that she no longer drive and she moved to Edmonton to be closer to her family. She embraced her new home, making new friends. When the arthritis required new decisions, Lynn moved to the Kipnes Veterans Centre.

Left to celebrate Lynn’s life are her children, Eric (Lyn) Payne of Adelaide South Australia, Boyd (Lynette) Payne of Calgary Alberta, Maureen Ondrus of Edmonton Alberta; her grandchildren, Danielle, Jordana, Jared, Dan, Josh, Cathy, Alison and Alex; her great grandchildren, Liana, Sophia, Elijah, Grayson, Zach, Carter and William; her brother, David (Takami) Weaver of St Albans England; her nieces and nephew, Janet, Martin and Charlotte; and extended family and loving friends.

She was predeceased by her much loved husband Bob; her sister and brother-in-law, Jean and Alan Harris; her parents, Frank and Dorothy Weaver; and her son-in-law, Ted Ondrus.

A special thank you to the staff at Kipnes for their respect, kindness and care for Lynn, and to all serving military, past and present, for their dedication and commitment.

A Celebration of Life will be held at First Memorial Harmony (10541 – 81 Ave. Edmonton) on Saturday, June 11, 2016, at 2:00 p.m. Hers was a life well lived, full of laughter, and her life enriched all of ours. Go in Peace.

Arrangements under the direction of Hainstock's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Edmonton, AB.