Evelyn Shirley (Barnes) Chesney

Evelyn Shirley Chesney
October 4, 1935 - November 30, 2018

Evelyn Shirley Chesney, age 83, passed away peacefully Friday November 30, 2018.  She was born to Ivor Hamilton Barnes and Rita June Barnes on October 4, 1935 in Medicine Hat, Alberta.

Evelyn married the love of her life, Boyd Chesney, on October 11, 1952 in Medicine Hat where they raised their 13 children. 

Evelyn was a dedicated and hard worker.  She worked in the Milk River General Hospital for many years before retiring.  Evelyn had a passion for planting flowers, and having an abundance of them throughout the house, as well as painting beautiful pictures in her spare time.  She loved having her children and families visit.  Evelyn was known for her feisty, yet good sense of humour.  She will be missed by all that knew and loved her. 

After the passing of Evelyn’s husband, Boyd Chesney, in 2001, she found love again with Louis Marechal.  Evelyn and Louis enjoyed their time growing old together, ordering Chinese Food on New Year’s Eve, and having family visit throughout the year.  There was never a day that one of them felt lonely.

Evelyn was the proud grandparent of 46 grandchildren, 71 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

There was never a dull moment spent on the farm with her many children and grandchildren.  Bellies were filled with plentiful food, and nobody ever went hungry.  There was always a cure or remedy for something, and if you fell ill she was always there to make you feel better.  Many hours were spent visiting and laughing, and it was not an uncommon thing to wake up to a baby calf in the kitchen during the cold winter months of calving.  A homemaker and farm wife were big boots to fill, however she always amazed us at how easy she made it seem.  You were always welcome with big open arms, and you never left without many hugs and kisses.  Grandchildren left the farm learning something new, with big smiles and stories to share in school about their grandmother.

Evelyn is survived by her siblings, Gladys Chesney, James Barnes, Les Barnes, Cameron Barnes and Joyce Hamm; children, Marlene (Ed) Harty, Phyllis (Alex) Gaehring, Shirley Gerbrandt, Matthew (Cathy) Chesney, Grace (Robert) Lanz,  Lois (Ken) Jaremco, Dorothy (John) Sharp, Valerie (Terry) McLellan, Wayne Chesney, Bruce (Jacqueline) Chesney, Virginia (James) Ockey, Ward (Shawna) Chesney, as well as many grandchildren.  Evelyn was predeceased by her husband Boyd Chesney on August 15, 2001; her late common-law husband, Louis Marechal on November 2, 2017; son, Mark Chesney on March 4, 2010; grandson, Jace Harty on October 21, 2002; granddaughter, Mariah Chesney on February 15, 1998; grandson, Jesse Chesney on November 17, 2010; and her brother, Hank Barnes on September 10, 1996.

You may be gone from our sight, but you are never gone from our hearts.  

Donations in Evelyn's memory are gratefully accepted to the Wetaskiwin Health Foundation - Long Term Care.

As per Evelyn's wishes, a private, family service will be held.
 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Evelyn Shirley (Barnes) Chesney, please visit our floral store.