Obituary of Eva Joyce Nicol (nee: Allan)

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Eva Nicol, on February 21, 2025. She leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness, and unwavering devotion to her family and community.

Born on July 12, 1939, to Chester and Doris Allan, Eva grew up in Elmwood, a place she fondly referred to as God’s Country. She later moved to Transcona after marrying the love of her life, John Nicol, on June 21, 1958, and together they built a beautiful life, eventually settling in Dugald in 1966, a community she cherished.

Family was everything to Eva. She and John raised five daughters: Jane (Len), Jacquie (Will), Joanne (Bill), Jodi, and Jeannine. She was a fiercely dedicated mother who embraced the hardest job in the world, caring for her family and home with determination, strength, and unconditional love. She took on every task with precision, from raising children to maintaining a household and tending to the yard, never doing anything halfway. If it had Eva’s name on it, you knew it was done at 110%.

Eva was the older sister, proud and full of love for her brother, Eddie. Right until Mom’s last days, she spoke of how lucky she was to have him as a brother and how much she loved him.

She was predeceased by her husband John, her daughter Jodi, and her grandson Spencer, as well as her parents, Chester and Doris Allan, her brother Doug, and her son-in-law Darryl. We find comfort in knowing that Mom and Jodi are surely sharing a glass of wine, catching up on the past 25 years.

She was the proud grandmother of Richard (Tracy), Cory (Meagan), Brendan (Nicole), Brittany (Kienan), Jonny (Bailey), Jesse (Talia), Sydney, and Eric. The joy of being a grandma was only surpassed by the arrival of her six great-grandchildren: Tucker, Nash, Leo, Felix, Meadow, and Dutton. She was also eagerly awaiting the birth of two more great-grandchildren, with Brittany and Bailey both expecting in April. Great Grandma will be watching over them with pride and joy.

Eva’s empathy and kindness touched so many lives. Whether visiting a sick friend in the hospital, dropping off a meal, or giving a gift to welcome a new baby (even if she barely knew the family), she had an incredible ability to make others feel special. From a lifelong friend to someone at Tim Hortons, she treated everyone with warmth, generosity, and a genuine sense of care.

A passionate curler, Eva devoted countless hours to teaching kids from the RM of Springfield the game she loved. She was deeply involved in the Springfield Ladies Curling Club, serving on the executive. Her dedication extended to the Manitoba Ladies Curling Association, where she meticulously kept records, and we are certain she still has them tucked away somewhere!

Her commitment to giving extended well beyond sports. As Dad’s political career grew, Mom was right there beside him, organizing events, meetings, and tours for the spouses of fellow politicians. If there was an opportunity to volunteer, she was always the first to raise her hand, and no detail was ever overlooked. Whether it was helping organize community events, bridal and baby showers, sewing classes, or baking for fall dinners, if something needed to be done, Mom did it and she did it well.  Eva also volunteered alongside John with the firefighter retiree support group, helping with Toy Mountain, holiday breakfasts, and assisting firefighters and their families in times of need. 

Later in life, Eva found a special companion in Doug Pearson, whose friendship filled her days with joy. Together, they shared family gatherings, countless hockey, football, and curling games, and dedicated time to the patio garden committee, where they helped nurture and release butterflies, a small but meaningful project they took great pride in. Doug’s companionship brought laughter, warmth, and happiness back into Mom’s life, and for that, we are forever thankful.

Eva’s love was constant, her strength unmatched, and her impact immeasurable. She was loyal, devoted, compassionate, and driven, always putting others before herself. While our hearts ache in her absence, we take comfort in knowing she is reunited with family and friends, watching over us with the same love and care she always showed.

A celebration of Eva’s life will be held on Sunday, April 6, at 3:00 p.m. at Canad Inns, Club Regent at 1415 Regent Avenue, West. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to the Dugald Community Club, Box 32, Dugald, MB, R0E 0K0.

Mom, your love was endless, your kindness immeasurable.

We are forever grateful.