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Evelyn Fleming

The family of Evelyn Fleming are saddened to announce the passing of our beloved mother and grandmother on February 28, 2023 at the age of 91. Evelyn Vivian Taft was born in Moose Jaw Sask. on Aug 24, 1931 as the only daughter of Walter and Eleanor Taft and a little sister to her two older brothers Bill and John. Growing up she had 2 life goals, to be a nurse and to be a mother. Evelyn completed her first life goal in 1954 when she graduated from the Holy Cross Hospital Nursing program in Calgary, where she also happened to meet a young medical intern who became the love of her life and life partner Raymond Fleming. Together they went about completing her second life goal by having five children. To Evelyn, her family was the center of her world.

The Fleming’s purchased the Banff Clinic on Banff Avenue where Raymond opened his medical practice for the next 39 years, and Evelyn kept herself busy raising their brood while also assisting with nursing duties in the clinic.

She was also very active politically and was the constituent office manager and representative to the federal MP for Banff & area, and hosted many meet & greets as well as opened her home as a B&B to many out of town politicians.

In 1987 Evelyn donated a kidney to Raymond and thus becoming the first kidney donation allowed in Canada to a non-blood related relative, opening the door for other couples in a similar situation to follow.

Later in life she found a new passion when she joined Toastmasters International.   For the next few years she racked up achievements in the organization which gave her immense purpose & joy outside her family.

Evelyn was an incredibly generous and altruistic person who never hesitated to reach out with a lending hand. Her home was always open to all the friends her kids dragged home in need of a bed or some home cooking.  Her home was always a place of love & laughter.

Evelyn was predeceased by her life partner and loving husband, Dr. Raymond Fleming; her parents Eleanor and Walter Taft and brothers John and Bill Taft.  She is survived by her children David, Dianne (Dale Backiney), Duane (Gladys), Dean (Roxanna), and Dawn Fleming as well as many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

The family would like to send a special thank you to Dr. Michalyshyn, the staff at Origin at Spring Creek as well as the staff at the Canmore Hospital for all the incredible care they provided to Evelyn over the years.

A celebration of life will be held at the Canmore Opera House onTuesday,  March 28, 2023 at 1pm

In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged, in Evelyn’s memory, to the Kidney Foundation of Canada

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