February 10, 2020
Eva Evelyn Saunders passed on to her heavenly father on February 10th, 2020 at 7:56 p.m. She died peacefully, after her family said their goodbyes and with her daughter by her side. Evelyn lived a full, active, healthy, well traveled life. Just a few weeks before her sudden passing was busy making her famous pies and baking bread. She was true to her faith and belief that a better life awaits her and achieved her wish that when it was her time, she would go quickly. Mom loved the Lord and her favourite A & W onion rings, in that order.
Evelyn was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, Edward Leroy Saunders and her son, Lloyd Saunders. She was the last remaining sibling of 11 children of Friedrick Hoffmann and Carolina Braun, having been predeceased by Emily, Jake, Helen, Bertha, Esther, Henry, Leona, Norman and two infant children. She is survived by her daughter, Elaine Saunders, her daughter-in-law, Nita Saunders, her grandsons, Randy Saunders, Brent Saunders (Rosalyn) and Michael Dyck. She also leaves behind her adored great-grandchildren: Adam, Merissa, Matthew, Megan, Bradley, Clayton and Tyler.
Evelyn and her husband Edward moved to Langley from Vernon in 1951, where they purchased land and built a home for themselves and established the Apostolic Church of God 7th Day. She ministered with her husband until his death in 1999 and continued to be active as a lay preacher until her passing. In 1976, they began a word wide mission outreach establishing churches and spreading their gospel in over 25 counties, including Nigeria, Ghana, Haiti, Kenya, India, Burma, Philippines, Bahamas, Jamaica and Australia. Evelyn was well loved and cherished by her church family and was known as the 'spiritual' mother to literally hundreds of people around the world.
Evelyn was also the right hand 'man' to her husband and worked side by side with him in developing acreage in the 100 Mile House area which they purchased in the 60's. They realized that there was a need for a mobile home park in the 103 area, so they built Park Drive Estates which is still operating today. When they applied for the building permit, they were told that no one would ever move 'way out there', but the park was almost full even before completion. They then developed the 103 subdivision, putting in the roads and water system which is still providing potable water to the residents today. She often told stories of their time working there: laying the water pipes, pouring concrete with a wheelbarrow, fighting black flies, mosquitoes and sub-zero temperatures reaching -50C. Their legacy is the street named after them - Saunders Crescent.
The family respected Evelyn's wishes not to hold a memorial or funeral. She was laid to rest beside her husband with her family attending in Murrayville Cemetery in Langley.