Evelyn passed away on June 11, 2022 after a short but valiant fight with cancer. She was predeceased by her husband Ben (June 11, 1982) and is survived by her daughter Deb (Randy), son Tom (Susan), grandchildren Matt, Kelly (Dylan), Katie (Jay J), Ben (Maleen), great granddaughter Kona and great grandsons Ben, Charlie and Jordan as well as many members of the Galeazzi and Pearse families.
Evelyn was born on December 14, 1932 in Cumberland, B.C., the youngest of six and last surviving child of Pietro and Caterina Galeazzi. She often reminisced that “Cumberland was the best town in the world to grow up in”.
Evelyn moved to Victoria B.C. to attend nurses training at St. Joseph’s Hospital, graduating in 1954. These years were some of the best of her life and she would often entertain her family with stories of the strict nuns and escapades of her fellow classmates. She spent her early years nursing in the Comox Valley and proudly ended her career as an Operating Room Nurse in Open Heart Surgery at the Royal Jubilee Hospital.
Evelyn was proud of her Italian heritage, both of her parents hailing from Coarezza, near Milan. She was a phenomenal cook and everyone looked forward to Nona’s famous ravioli at Christmas, although she herself survived on Benson & Hedges 100’s, coffee and slices of tomato.
In recent years she found new community and friendships at Cherish Community Living and we were grateful for the contentment she experienced there. She was determined and fiery, full of energy to the end. No one that met her is likely to forget her.
You are loved Nona and you will be missed.
We sincerely thank the entire team at Victoria Hospice for their dedication, compassion and kindness in making Evelyn’s final days as comfortable as possible.
A Mass in her honor will be held at St. Patrick’s Parish, 2060 Haultain Street, Victoria on Thursday June 30th at 12:10 pm.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Tony and Lorraine
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Roger Stonebanks My condolences to Evelyn’s family. I enjoyed many conversations with her at Berwick Royal Oak especially about her beloved Cumberland.
Roger Stonebanks
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Phyllis Gallo We miss your company at the smoking lounge at Cherish. Love Belle & Phyllis
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Brenda Cronk [Weir] It is sad to hear of Evelyn’s passing. I remember her fondly from my childhood years in
Cumberland. It was always nice to run into Evelyn at different functions over the years
even though she would always give me a hard time about something I did or was doing. She
was always such a lovely woman. Our condolences to the family.
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Barbara Robinson My condolences to the entire Pearse family. Beautifully written.
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Trisha Stockand So sorry for your loss. She was a beautiful lady and her family is her legacy and proof of that. I totally agree with her that Cumberland was the best town to grow up in! Thoughts and prayers are with you all. Hold on to your memories !
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Louise Scott Remembering many memories of laughs with Eve in the OR and also with family!
Condolences to all the family.
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Lisa Laughlin Our thoughts and love is with you all ❤️
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Kerry Jacox What a life well lived. Condolences to you, Deb and family. I never met your mom but I know she raised a lovely family.
Dear Tom, Susan ~ Deb and Randy and your children and grandchildren.
Together again, Evelyn and Ben in the Loving Light finally after a long wait.
Your Mom lived a very special giving life and cared for so many people in her nursing career and how she reached out to everyone with a warm heart, great laughs and kindness.
With fondest memories and gratitude,
Tony and Lorraine and family