Mary Evelyn Brawn (nee Wright) was born on July 12, 1920 in Campellton, N.B. Her father died in 1922 from war injuries. Without a principle breadwinner, Delia Rose (Ev's mother) and Ev suddenly found themselves without a family income. To provide for her two-year-old daughter and herself, Delia Rose and Ev moved to the Wolfe District (about 10 miles south of Wilkie) to housekeep for a local farmer. In 1931, Ev's mother passed away. The farmer, with whom Ev and her mother had lived, had developed serious health problems and could not look after 11-year-old Evelyn. Fortunately, a wonderful couple, Byard and Jennie Brawn, adopted Ev in 1932. Secure and cared for by her new parents, Evelyn experienced the wonders of childhood as all children should. Ev completed all of her education in the Wolfe District located between Marsden and Neilburg.
In 1943, Ev began her career working for a rural telephone company in Marsden. She later worked for the Lashburn Rural Telephone Company. Steadily and confidently advancing up the career ladder, Ev began working for Saskatchewan Government Telephones (now SaskTel) in Kerrobert on Oct. 11, 1944. In 1946, she became a permanent operator. In 1949, she was transferred to Saskatoon. In 1952, Ev moved to North Battleford to assume the responsibilities of traffic supervisor. Finally, on Nov. 27, 1956, Ev was appointed to the post of chief operator, a position she held until her retirement on Nov. 29, 1979. Ev's career in the communications business was impressive, but her many years of volunteerism and community service were truly remarkable.
Ev's record of community involvement were diverse and of great benefit to the citizens of our city. She was actively involved in raising funds for the MS Society. As a faithful member of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, she belonged to the Ladies' Friendship Group (founded by her mother, Jennie Brawn).
In addition, Ev assisted with the Samaritan's Purse Christmas Shoebox Gifts for Children. She sponsored the Brawn Scholarship Fund for students attending Trinity Western University in Langley, B.C. In addition, she worked with the Sudan Interior Mission.
She was a member of the St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church Women's Missionary Society. She was also a Missionary Oblate. Finally, she was a Telephone Pioneer of America member, and she chaired the 1955 Sasktel Reunion.
Ev regularly donated to about 40 different charities. Her mother referred to her as a, "regular Tom Sawyer," for her ability to organize a project, persuade people to join her team and inspire them to work hard and have fun doing it. In this regard, Ev and her fellow volunteers collected and sent clothes to Kazakhstan for a number of years. With no thought of maintaining a neat and orderly home, Ev's residence was filled with mountains of wool, used clothing, books, papers and stuffed dolls for various projects in which she was involved. But Evelyn is probably best known for the thousands of kilometres she drove delivering Meals on Wheels, and for transporting the elderly to appointments and meetings.
Ev enthusiastically remarked that, "When I go out, I might as well have someone in the back seat."
Ev was also a writer. In 2004, she published a book on the Cayford family's pioneer story entitled, "From the Bow River to the Big Manitou."
Evelyn was the recipient of many accolades and awards for her kindness and charitable works. In 1989, she was greatly honoured as North Battleford's citizen of the Year.
Ev never had children of her own, but she always said that God had given her, "a family beyond her wildest dreams - a family that filled her heart with love." She had a special place in her heart for the many girls she had helped over the years. Each had a story about the kindness Ev had shown to them and others. She had a gift for making a person feel special.
Ev remembered all of her girls including when and where they had worked, and how many children they had. Ev's love and care was, of course, extended to her own family. After her father died in 1951, her mother Jennie, lived with her for 30 years until her death on Nov. 10, 1981.
This wonderful and kind lady who had given so much to our community, passed from this life on Dec. 28, 2004. Ev was a friend to all. She selflessly shared her time and her material possessions with the less fortunate. Despite the difficult life she experienced as a child, she chose to become the person she was - full of the joy of helping others. Few could equal her contributions to our city.
On the occasion of North Battleford's centennial, we pause to reflect on the life of an extraordinary citizen - Evelyn Brawn.
