Professor A. Margaret Evans

Formerly of Luther Village, Waterloo, and recently of Golden Years Nursing Home, Cambridge, Dr. A. Margaret Evans (nee MacLaren) passed away Saturday December 20th, 2014. Remarkable and caring daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, award-winning scholar, author and publisher, organist, choir leader, elected school-board member, volunteer and community-builder, person with strong faith, pet lover and true friend. Born January 18, 1914 on a farm in Hay Township, Huron County, only child of Robert Yuille MacLaren and Elizabeth Ann McEwen, she grew up on a 50 acre farm on the east side of Hwy No. 4, just north of Hensall, Ontario. Predeceased by her husband Professor Wellesley Dorland Evans in 1954, and grand-daughter Jennifer Louise Evans in 1975. Mother to Robert Dorland Evans (Sheryl), John MacLaren Evans (Donna) and Margaret Louise Evans (John). Loved Grandmother of Heather, Mary, Robert, Mark, and Megan and their spouses. Great-Grandmother to Owen and Liam, Connor, Theo and Harrison, Sean, Maeve and Brydie, Annick (Nika) and Violet. A brilliant student, always first in her Class (students grades were published in the local Newspapers at the time), receiving her early primary education at Hensall Public School, and then at Hensall Continuation School, she won Scholarships in Mathematics and Chemistry and was admitted to the University of Western Ontario at the age of 15 years, and had to wait until the age of 16 to be able to attend. She was graduation Valedictorian. To conquer her shy nature, she was strongly encouraged by her school-teacher Mother to do public speaking, and at age 14, won 1st Prize at the District Oratorical Contest conducted by the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation in Stratford, and was a Finalist in the Ontario Oratorical Championship held at Massey Hall, Toronto. Attending University during the Great Depression, and being told that her education was a waste because, being a woman, she would get married and then not use it, her difficult path to success was to earn the Scholarship with highest financial reward. At Western, she won the Wyatt Scholarship in English and History, the U.W.O. Prize for a Woman with the highest mark in any Subject (for her, it was French), and upon Graduation with her Honours B. A., she was the first student to achieve 2 Gold Medals in the same year. She then attended the University of Toronto where she was awarded the Alexander MacKenzie Fellowship in History, and graduated with her M. A., and completed her PhD courses in History. Hired by Waterloo College (then an affiliate of Western) as professor of History, she also served as Dean of Women, and, later when widowed, as Lecturer and Reference Librarian. After decades with what is now Wilfrid Laurier University, she joined the University of Guelph Department of History, later becoming Chair and the first female Chair of a University History Department in Ontario. She also went on to serve on the University of Guelph Senate, Board of Governors and as Convocation Speaker. She has also been guest Lecturer and Speaker throughout Ontario and in the U.S.A., and as guest Professor at U. B. C. She has authored many academic articles, letters to the Editor of local and national newspapers, authored and presented dozens of scholarly papers and contributed to parts of ten books by others. She is included in Biographical Reference Works: Dictionary of International Biography, Dictionary of American Scholars, International Scholars Directory and World Who’s Who of Women. Her book, “Sir Oliver Mowat”, Ontario’s longest-serving Premier who went on to serve in Prime Minister Wilfrid Laurier’s cabinet, is described in a review as ‘a thorough, well-written study of the life and career of Oliver Mowat’ and as a ‘book which is much to be admired’. She also Co-authored and Co-published “Century One: A History of the Ontario Veterinary Association 1874 – 1974” which, upon award, is described by the Royal Society as ‘an important contribution to the history of medicine’. She has been described by an author colleague as ‘a paragon of editors’. After little more than eight years of marriage, and left with three young children to raise, in addition to returning to work, she also returned to the University of Toronto full-time for a year to do research for her PhD, graduating in 1967. Her thesis has been cited as “the most important work on late nineteenth century political life in Ontario”. She also has served the Home and School Association locally, regionally and provincially, as a Waterloo Regional Heritage Foundation Member, the Presbyterian Church National History Committees, elected Waterloo Public School Board Member and Vice-Chair, Seniors Advisory Council in Waterloo, and as Public Speaker, Panelist and radio and television Commentator for education, political, health, environmental and other issues for social betterment. As well, she is a Founder Charter Member, first President and long-serving Member of the K-W Chapter of the Thyroid Foundation of Canada. Her exceptional service and work have been recognized with awards including “Life Membership “Honoris Causa” in the Ontario Veterinary College Alumni Association, University of Guelph, and in 1985, she, along with Dr. C. A. V. Barker, was one of ten distinguished scholars and scientists awarded the Jason A. Hannah Medal by The Royal Society of Canada for their contributions to the advancement of culture and science. She was chosen as K-W Senior Woman of the Year, and received a plaque from the City of Waterloo for ten years voluntary service to the Library Board as a Member and Chair. She has been recognized by the Thyroid Foundation of Canada several times, been made an Honorary Member of the Wilfrid Laurier Alumni Association for ‘valuable contributions’ to the Association and the University, received the City of Kitchener Senior Citizens Award for Health and Fitness, and been awarded the Federal Canada 125 Medal and the Ontario Senior Achievement Award. Waterloo Luther Village granted her a Citizenship Award ‘For Providing Outstanding Service to the Luther Village Community’. Margaret’s family extends their gratitude and appreciation to the Staff at Luther Village in Waterloo and to the Staff at Golden Years Nursing Home in Cambridge who did whatever they could to add to her life in later years. Also, special appreciation to Dr. J. Fred Mather who rendered needed assistance for years, occasionally well beyond office hours, with genuine care and expertise. Friends are invited to share memories of Margaret with her family during visitation at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo on Friday December 26, 2014 from 2 - 4 and 6 - 8 pm. The funeral service marking her extraordinary life will be held on Saturday December 27, 2014 at 11:00 am at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 54 Queen St. N. at corner of Weber St, Kitchener, with visitation at St. Andrew’s 1 hour prior to the service. Lunch will be served immediately following the service, with Committal at Memory Gardens, Breslau. Memorial donations can be made to St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church or Thyroid Foundation of Canada, and may be arranged through the funeral home at 519-745-8445.