Obituary for Evelyn Bell Numerow (nee Nep)

(AJNews) – With deep sadness we announce the peaceful passing of Evelyn Numerow z’l at her home in Richmond, BC on the morning of December 26, 2020. Evelyn will be dearly missed by her children Leonard (Danna), David (Susan), and Michael, her sister Gail Nep and nephew Dustin Shore (Michelle Livingston), her grandchildren Kevin, Allison, Jennifer, Jeffery, Logan, Benjamin and her great-niece Jaden. She also leaves many cousins and relatives including William (Ann) Gleberzon and family, Sandy (Howard) Collerman and family, and Mickey (Gerry) Namak and family.  Mom will also be greatly missed by her special friend Harris Gulko.   

Evelyn was predeceased by husbands Kenneth Numerow (1990), Samuel Brownstone (2002), her parents Jennie (2002) and Louis Nep (1954), her brother Gerald Nep (2009) and Gail’s husband Blair Dawe (2002)

Mom was born at the Grace Hospital in Winnipeg, growing up in the North End. After the unfortunate early passing of her father Louis, she almost single-handedly raised her sister Gail, while her mother worked. After obtaining her Manitoba’s teachers certificate, she taught at Collicut school for several years before settling down to have her 3 boys.  During those childhood years, mom was a staunch supporter of Jewish education for her children, becoming active on the Rosh Pina Synagogue Education Committee and supporting the boys through their USY days.  From there she became active in Sisterhood, becoming President for many years during the 1990’s.  She was especially proud for being the Honouree for the 2011 Etz Chayim Torah Fund Brunch.

Evelyn was also a wonderful cook and pastry chef.  After refining these talents at the Synagogue for many years, she co-founded the bakery  “How Sweet It Is”, providing pastries to locations including the Westin hotel for many years.  And everybody truly loved her masterpiece creation:  the Brandy Alexander Torte.  After this, she ran the family business, Numerow Trading Company, successfully for more than 30 years.

Mom also had a strong love for music. In her early days, she was active in high school musicals and productions. As children, the boys all remember music continually playing in the house or cottage on her favorite radio station CJOB. Later in life, she received pleasure from leading and participating in singing at multiple Sisterhood conventions. She passed this love for music onto her children and all of her grandchildren. You should have seen her kvel when Logan was given the honor to sing the Kol Nidre prayer at shul in Richmond!  Evelyn was also a regular attendee and supporter of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet.

Mom also loved to spend winters with her sister Gail, family, and friends in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Thank you to our special friend in Mexico Kina Castaneda for all of her help there. And it was in Mexico that mom solidified the special relationship she had with Dustin, since he was a child.  Dustin “loved his Auntie Evy” like a mother.

In 2003, the family discovered a summer vacation spot in Okanagan Falls, BC. Mom spent many hot summers with her children and grandchildren swimming in the beautiful waters and tasting incredible wines throughout the countryside.

In 2010, Mom met the next love of her life, Harris Gulko. They spent many happy years together in Winnipeg, Okanagan Falls, and Puerto Vallarta, eventually moving to Richmond BC in 2017 to be closer to both of their families.

Everybody will remember Evelyn for her strength, wisdom, charm, and great sense of humor.  We can still hear her contagious laugh.  And she cared deeply for everybody around her.

We want to express special thanks to Yuko Abeyama and her team of so many wonderful caregivers from Nikoniko Quality Care in Richmond, BC.  who helped mom to live with comfort and dignity at home, for those last 6 months.

Evelyn will be interred beside her husband Ken at the Shaarey Zedek cemetery in Winnipeg, MB, Canada on Wed. Dec. 30, 2020 at 3 pm.  Due to current Covid guidelines, the funeral will be broadcast at:  www.szwinnipeg.ca.   Shiva will be observed privately.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Beth Tikvah Congregation & Centre of Richmond, BC.