Eva May Brook

Eva May Brook

(nee Peters)

July 30, 1923 – April 11, 2022

With profound sadness the family of Eva Brook announce her peaceful passing in the early hours of April 11, 2022, at Morley House Personal Care Home in Shoal Lake, Manitoba. She was 98 years old.

Eva was one of twelve children born to George and Kathleen Peters. Coming from such a large family on the Prairies in the 1920’s and 30’s meant that life was not easy. Money and work were hard to come by. Her father was forced to leave home to find work and died in a construction accident in Calgary when Eva was very young and so at a very early age, she became the main support for her mother in caring for even younger siblings.

Eva’s greatest hardship came when she was eight years old through an accident when playing with brothers and sisters. A fall on some cinders led to a serious infection. Two doctors were called, and they operated on her leg on the kitchen table as there was Scarlet Fever in the house, and she could not go to the hospital. This led to more than two years of hospitalization in Winnipeg. Her family could not afford to visit her, so she saw them only when she could take the train home for special events like Christmas.

By the time Eva returned from hospital she was far behind in school and soon after took jobs working on local farms as a farm hand and maid. She came to meet her love and life partner James Shaw Brook (Jimmie to her) at a Saturday night dance in Shoal Lake. They married on June 7, 1941, after Jimmie had enlisted in the Canadian Army. He was stationed overseas for four years.

Upon Jimmie’s return they lived in a great number of places as work took them all over Canada. Eventually they established themselves in Strathclair. While Jimmie moved about in the food services industry and was usually away during the week, Eva established a loving home for her family.

In 1974 Eva began work at Morley House Personal Care Home in Shoal Lake and retired in 1986 as a supervisor.

She was always willing to share her gifts with the community and served in several executive positions with the Strathclair Legion Auxiliary and Anglican Church Women and acted as Secretary for the Community Center for several years. Eva filled in on the organ at St. Luke’s Anglican Church whenever necessary. She was an avid reader, knitter, and gardener and particularly enjoyed the many friendships she developed over the years.

Eva is survived by sons Thomas (Linda, nee Disterheft) and Edwin (Evange, nee Woychyshyn); daughter-in-law Sheila (nee Kornelson); grandchildren Thomas, Anne, Peter, Meagan, Dylan, Madison, Mackenzie and step grandchildren Dana and Cory; as well as eight great grandchildren and two step great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild.

Eva was predeceased by her loving husband James Shaw Brook (February 1999). She deeply grieved the early passing of sons Gerald (Sheila) and Richard. She was also predeceased by her parents George Peters and Kathleen (nee Weaver) Peters and eleven siblings, James, Gladys, Percy, Elsie, Grace, Ken, Fred, Olive, Donald, Clara, and Georgina.

The family extends their thanks and gratitude to the staff of Morley House Personal Care Home for their compassionate care of Eva.

In accordance with Eva’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A public grave side service will take place at The Bend Cemetery on July 26, 2022 at 1:00 PM with lunch to follow.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Eva’s memory to the Parkland Regional Library specifically for the Shoal Lake Community Library or to Strathclair Seniors Centre.