Evelyn Aulenbach

Early in the morning, on 10 February 2017, Evelyn Lenora Aulenbach of Blockhouse, NS passed away at Harbour View Haven, with her son, Derek and daughter-in-law Sandra, by her side.

Almost eighty six years of age, Evelyn was the eldest daughter of Irene and Edward Morrissey of Halifax, NS.

She is survived by her sister, Margaret and her brother, Louis, both of Timberlea, NS; her son, Derek (Sandra) Purcell of Pentz, NS and her three step-daughters, Gail Lynne Dziuba and Kathy Aulenbach, both of Calgary, AB and Wendy Aulenback of Nanaimo, BC.

She was predeceased by her first husband, Donald Purcell, her second husband, Harry Aulenbach and her brothers, Joseph, Bernard, Lester and William Morrissey.

Evelyn worked as a telephone operator and supervisor at the Maritime Telephone and Telegraph Company in Halifax where she met her first husband, Don, who was a test board operator and technician. Don passed away suddenly in 1966. In 1969, Evelyn married Harry, whom she had met in her youth and moved from Halifax to Blockhouse where they lived until Harry passed on in 2011. For the past five years, Evelyn has been a resident at Harbour View Haven in Lunenburg, NS.

A loving grandmother to Jemil, Reyhan, Deyvis, Donovan and Justin, Evelyn had a focus on family that remained strong even though her family members were dispersed throughout the country from Newfoundland to British Columbia over the years. This included her “extended” family of Jason, Amanda and Joel who she provided day care services for and nurtured as if they were her own.

Very active in the community, she was a member of the Blockhouse Fire Department Auxiliary for several decades which likely helped to develop her considerable baking skills. Sewing was another talent which led her to teach sewing through an adult education program in Mahone Bay. Saturday nights were for dancing with Harry … either at the Fire Hall, the Legion or wherever. In later years, she and Harry helped with Meals on Wheels and also organized bingo and volunteered at the Mahone Bay Nursing Home. Evelyn was a spiritual person who pursued a deeper understanding of God and her faith through the prayer group at St. Joseph’s Parish, courses, seminars, conversations and reflection on her own life, experiences and surroundings. She was a tireless volunteer in the Church.

The family extends our sincere appreciation to the staff at Harbour View Haven and the caregivers of Back Harbour Square over these past five years. Thank you for your compassion.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Evelyn’s memory may be made to St Joseph’s Parish, Bridgewater, NS; the Mahone Nursing Home Resident Council Society, Mahone Bay or the Blockhouse Voluntary Fire Department.

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 3, 2017 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at Mahone Funeral Home, 32 Parish Street, Mahone Bay. A funeral mass for Evelyn will be held at St Joseph’s Church, 123 Pleasant Street, Bridgewater, NS at 11:00am on Saturday, March 4, 2017. Interment will take place later in the Spring.

Cremation and arrangements entrusted to the care of Mahone Funeral Home, P.O. Box 200, 32 Parish St., Mahone Bay, NS B0J 2E0 (902-624-8241). Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.mahonefuneral.ca