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(Watts)

Jan. 10, 1920 - Feb. 7, 2011

Eva passed away peacefully in the early hour of Feb. 7, 2011 at Chilliwack General Hospital with family by her side.

Eva was born in Cartwright, Manitoba. In 1942 she married Thomas Heatherington, to whom she gave three sons. Thomas passed away 1948.

Eva met Alfred Lees whom she married in 1952. She and her sons moved to Alf’s farm in Mather, Manitoba where together they challenged the life of living off the land. In 1956 the family moved west to Harrison Hot Springs, BC, where Eva and Alf became the proprietors of the Red and White grocery store.

Eva was an active member in her community, becoming the first woman to sit on council. She was much noted for her efforts of turning what was then a rocky dyke into the beautiful sand beaches of Harrison Hot Springs today.

In 1963 Eva and Alf moved to Chilliwack, BC. Later in 1965 they became snowbirds wintering in Desert Hot Springs, Ca. Alfred passed away in 1981. Eva continued to make the annual migration south until 2010. She became involved in different organizations in the USA and Canada. She was chairman of the Desert Hot Springs Women’s Club, a life time member of TOPS, a member of the Red Hatters, and a member of the Chilliwack Hospital Auxiliary. Eva loved to travel and visited many corners of the world. She loved to entertain family and friends, the door was always open. Eva crafted, sewed, cooked and spent endless hours planning events.

Eva had a never ending love and affection for all her family. She will be greatly missed by all. Eva is survived by her sons Clare (Joni), Lorne (Mamie), Neil (Patty), her grandchildren Tracee, Nikcole, Andrea, Tobi, Kirby, Ryan, Karen, Cindy and eleven great-grandchildren.

A warm heart of thanks goes out to all the staff at Birchwood Retirement Center and the medical staff at the Chilliwack General Hospital. A special thanks for nurses Ann and Jen who tended Eva’s every need until her passing.

In honour of Eva Lees, a “celebration of life” will be held at 11:30am, Saturday, February 26th at the Best Western Rainbow Country Inn, 43971 Industrial Way, Chilliwack.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Chilliwack Hospital Auxiliary, PO Box 2301, Sardis Stn Main, Chilliwack, BC, V2R 1A7.



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