Gina Dale Evans

Gina Dale Evans November 26, 1953 - March 17, 2021 Predeceased by her parents Metody & Victoria Evans Gelentsoff (a.k.a. Ted and Vicky Evans), her brother John Paul Evans and her friend Harold Gramolini. Loving sister to Dena Nicoloff, dear sister-in-law to James Nicoloff and Alexandra Munoz Evans, cherished Teta (Aunt) to Nicholas Nicoloff and wife Nicole, Ivan Nicoloff and wife Tiffany and their daughters Maria and Ava, Stefan Nicoloff and fiancée Karina, Lina Evans and partner Alec and Lily Evans, caring niece to Sonna Kriss and devoted “Mom” to Cleopatra. Gina was born in Toronto on November 26, 1953 the youngest of three siblings. Her formative years took place in East York where the family lived in an apartment above “Ted’s Restaurant and Snack Bar”,158 O’Connor Drive which was owned and operated by her parents. She enjoyed close family ties with the extended family. Most of her cousins lived within walking distance of each other and she enjoyed going to school and playing with them everyday. From an early age Gina did not mince words and kept conversations short and to the point. As a teenager the family moved to North York in a house that backed onto Windfields Farm. Gina enjoyed visiting the stables and listening to Mr. Taylor talk about his prized thoroughbred horses. At this time she was given her first dog “Che” a Doberman Pinscher whom she loved dearly. Gina attended the University of Toronto and York University where she successfully completed her Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Administrative Studies degrees respectively. She worked at WSIB as an Employer Account Advisor in the Revenue Development Branch. During that time she saved her money and bought a yellow brick bungalow in East York. Her friend “Gram” bought her a hard hat and gave her lessons in DIY house and garden repair and maintenance which she greatly appreciated. Gina retired from WSIB after 30 years. She acquired a little Toy Fox Terrier she named “Cleopatra”. Cleo was certainly treated like a Queen. The bond between them was strong and they shared many happy times together attending agility and scent detection courses. Cleo was also taken to Animal Rehab to strengthen her little legs. Gina and Cleo were a team and went everywhere together. Cleo went on day trips to Farmers’ Markets, fishing trips to the Near North (decked out in a life jacket, hat and sun glasses), long walks in the woods and visited many family and friends with Gina. In retirement Gina also found her newly developed passion for making slide shows and movies of family histories on the computer. She also sent clips of trailers for movies starring Cleo, Cleo’s Birthday and Cleo at Christmas retrieving presents from the Christmas stocking Gina had made for her. This new found hobby brought her great satisfaction and happiness when people sent her their positive reviews of her productions. A generous person, Gina celebrated others’ accomplishments but also helped those who were experiencing difficult times. Her love for baking, cooking, sharing and entertaining was nourished through her parents’ examples. To honour them she compiled many of their recipes into a cookbook “Victoria’s Table” (2010). Gina had many social gatherings at her house and was a welcoming hostess to all. Everyone enjoyed her home cooked meals and appreciated the time and effort she put in to prepare the pasta sheets for lasagna, slowly grill her barbecued lamb, stretch the dough to produce the flaky zelnik, wait for the second rise when making her Mom’s prize winning Macedonian Pogacha (festive egg bread) and remove a wild blueberry pie from the oven and serve it with her wild blueberry ice cream all homemade all by herself! Christmas and Easter celebrations were something to look forward to, a real treat! Gina was the one who brought family and friends together, who kept in touch whether near or far. Her philosophy in life was you can’t change the past so embrace the present and plan and look forward to the future. She was a very independent, accomplished and generous person. During the challenging time before her death, Gina was surrounded by love. I know that she would want to thank Vonna Bitove, Annette Preskourkas, Lana Louis, Donna Stefoff, Sonna and Peter Kriss, Dena C. Gelentso, Alexandra Munoz Evans, Luba Meschino, Helen and Hope Chicules, Elizabeth and Dennis Goushleff, Larry and Mimi Popofsky and Marie Newell for their support and keeping family and friends informed. She would want to thank her neighbours for their neighbourhood watch, especially Tony Fitzsimmons who cleared the snow for her, and also to thank Brenda Martin, Christie Chapin and the staff at Delmanor Wynford who treated her with dignity and compassion. She was aware of having her family’s efforts to make things ‘right’ for her and was thankful for their presence in her care. Many more reached out to Gina by voicemail and email but she was not well enough to respond. She appreciated all communication. Gina was never seriously ill until she received her diagnosis just before her 67th birthday. Her family rallied around and helped her in every way possible including caring for Cleo. When her prognosis became serious, they created a binder called “Letters to Gina”. It included loving messages, drawings and photos that were read and shown to her everyday. They encompassed her qualities, her strong and considerate nature and their understanding of Gina’s way of expressing her love. Although she was aware of their love it was these letters that revealed how deep that love was. These Letters brought a few smiles to her face, gave her great comfort and she was very grateful to her family for writing them. If it was up to our love and prayers for Gina she would still be with us today but as she said “I am a very sick girl.” It is fitting that Gina passed away on the Feast of St. Patrick. We will remember her through celebration, lighting a candle, sharing a good meal and making a toast in her memory. Thanks for all the wonderful experiences and memories. We will miss you. Bog da ya prosti. May she Rest In Peace. In lieu of flowers, donations in Gina’s memory can be made to the Dotsa Bitove Wellness Academy, the University Health Network, the Hospital for Sick Children or to a charity of your choice.