Evelyn May Campbell

EVELYN MAY CAMPBELL

Evelyn May (Thurlow) Campbell, 98, of Halifax, passed away on March 30, 2020 at Parkstone Nursing Home, having recently moved there from Parkland in Clayton Park.

She was born in Lunenburg on August 20, 1921 to Charles William and Emily Maude (Kinley) Thurlow. She is survived by her son Colin (Jennifer), daughters Cathy and Elizabeth, sister Margaret Morash (108 years young), brother Hon. Arthur Thurlow (106). Ever competitive, Evelyn was annoyed not to live to 100 like her siblings. She leaves four grandchildren: Bob (Bea), Jeff (Jessica), Catherine (Richard), and Stephanie; and six great-grandchildren: Aidan, Portia, Fynley, Jack, Wyatt, and Jaden. She was predeceased by her parents, husband Robert (Bob) Campbell, her daughter Margaret (Campbell) Ovens, her sisters Florence and Mildred, and brothers Charles and Lionel.

During WWII Evelyn was a Laboratory Technician at Camp Hill Hospital. She met her future husband Bob on a blind date just after the war. He came wearing ill-fitting clothes from either before the war or borrowed from a friend. Although he looked “scruffy” she decided to accept one more date. That evening he arrived on her doorstep in his uniform and captured her heart. They lived in Halifax, Truro, Montreal, and Toronto, then back to Halifax upon retirement. They enjoyed a fulfilling life working, raising children, travelling, and spending time with friends in both Canada and Florida where they wintered. They enjoyed playing golf together, but Evie’s love was duplicate bridge which she did not play with Bob because she wanted to stay married.

Evie started playing duplicate bridge later in life but quickly made up for lost time. She achieved her American Contract Bridge League Ruby Life Masters, which she called her PhD. She proudly displayed the plaque in the den, then in her apartment at Parkland. She was wicked smart, something everyone around her knew, but she doubted herself. She completed the New York Times Crosswords with little or no difficulty. She absorbed knowledge and information like a sponge and never forgot a single thing. She was mentally sharp to her last day.

When Bob became too ill to be at home, he moved into Camp Hill Veteran’s Hospital. Evelyn gave up everything to spend 10 hours and more with him every day until he died five years later. The sole exception was to play bridge on Thursday evenings with her best friend Bea Brown. Bridge and Bea kept her sane. She did go to a few bridge tournaments as long as Colin agreed to take her place at Bob’s side.

After Bob’s death, Evie played bridge every weekday and sometimes twice in a single day. She received the Heart of Bridge Award for “…being a delight to play with and against. She is an inspiration to everyone.” Over the years she played with partners old and young, experienced and novice. She loved the challenge of the high-level games but also enjoyed helping new players learn. She had many partners over the years, way too many to mention, but please know, she enjoyed playing with every one of you. She just loved going to tournaments with Bea, Winnie, and Dorothy. They would pile into Bea’s Prius and off they would go. They had such fun. After matches, while sipping wine, they would go over every hand. Evie was so sad when she lost her sight and she could no longer see the cards well enough to play. She was the oldest bridge club member to play duplicate in Halifax.

Evie was kind, loyal, outgoing, and cheerful. She had many friends. She was very close to so many of the residents and staff at Parkland. She knew everyone’s name and something about them. She loved taking her visiting children to meet everyone. The people of Parkland became her extended family. They all looked out for each other. Evie’s family want to thank all the staff and residents who were such good friends to her.

Evelyn loved her children. They were the one thing she would miss bridge for. At different times she travelled with each of them. She liked seeing new things and places, but most of all, she liked spending time with them, and they liked being with her. She was well loved and will be sorely missed.

Due to the pandemic, there will be no visitation or service. Condolences may be sent through J. A. Snow Funeral Home www.jasnowfuneralhome.com

Donations may be made in her memory to the Canadian Red Cross or a charity of your choice.