She brought so much joy to her dancers, the parents, and the people watching; whether is was at Kits show boat, PNE, a parade, or at the several nursing homes we performed at.

Thank you Evelyn for all that you’ve done for all of us. Your dedication and love for dance will always be remembered.

My condolences on your loss. My congratulations for having such
a notable citizen of Vancouver as a relative.

I am one of hundreds (maybe thousands!) of girls who passed
through the Evelyn Ward School of Dance. From the age of six in 1947 to twelve, when we moved away, the highlight of every week was taking the Renfrew bus down to dance class, and the highlight of every year was the recital, the costumes and music, and the follow up shows at the Kitsilano Showboat.

I am grateful to Evelyn for those stored-up happy memories and
experiences. Saddened I never thought to express gratitude as
an adult for what she created in my young life.

Best wishes from Marilyn Chrystal

She always taught me to never give up and keep going until I reached my goal. Even if it meant sprained ankles.

I will miss her dearly.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Carol, Janice and the entire family.

Through my many years involved with BC’s and Canadians, I will always remember the friendly rivalry between Evelyn and her former students who went on to form competitive corps. She will always remain in my heart – my first baton, tap and ballet teacher .

A special lady who touched so many lives – my sympathies to her family.

Josephine Lee
Secretary
Vancouver East Lions Club.

I was a dance student and instructor at the Evelyn Ward Academy of Dance from 1990 to 1997. Always running a tight ship in the studio, Evelyn showed us with loving care and sometimes a little tough love, how to not only become dancers but true performers. A true redhead, Evelyn had a firey temper and wasn’t afraid to let us have it if we weren’t behaving.

She gave me my first job ever as one of her flock of dance teachers. Every Saturday I’d start early in the morning and end in the late afternoon, spending the entire day in black leotards and dance shoes with tiny dancers. All for the love of this art form!

From ballet to acro to tap to jazz to lyrical, the studio was always swarming with dancers, aged tot to teen. Countless generations of dancers developed their skills and passion for dance through Evelyn. She was a mentor to many people both in the performance world and the community.

I’m saddened by her passing and I send heartfelt condolences to her family, especially to Carol and Janice who I knew so well during my time at the studio.

Thank you Evelyn for dedicating your life to your passion and for inspiring me to dance like no one was watching. I’ll always remember you fondly and I know that you’re up in Heaven singing a show tune or two.

I had the pleasure of first meeting Evelyne almost 30 years ago. I had called her one day to ask about dancing lessons for myself, which was the start of what was to be a very long friendship with Evelyne, Bob and Carol. After a couple years of lessons I asked Evelyne about training me to teach dance classes. She was such a wonderful teacher and was gracious in allowing me to live on-site for almost 2 years at the studio on Hastings Street during that training period. Even after a full day of teaching classes, she was never too tired to spend another hour or so with me.

How incredible it was to open my living room door into the studio where I could practice day and night to my heart’s content, and with many hours of instruction, eventually found myself teaching classes to very young children as well as teens and adults.

What fun those days were. Evelyne in one room teaching, Carol in another and finally I was holding classes or covering for Evelyne when she and Bob went to camp at Birch Bay.

Evelyne was more than just a great dance teacher. She was my confidante, my best friend and second mother. With both of us living on studio property, we became very close and even after I discontinued dancing, I welcomed the chance to attend every recital until the studio officially closed, working behind stage with the students, mothers and sets.

That was such a great experience for me as well as so many others. I could never understand how Evelyne could remember each child’s name, as well as the parents’ names, year after year, with so many eager dancers passing through the studio doors. It seems like only yesterday.

And then there was the reunion of Evelyne’s students on May 25th, 2003, where she received a Proclamation from Mayor Larry Campbell marking that day as ‘Evelyne Ward Day’. What fun all the students and teachers had, all of us getting together to celebrate such a special day. Now here it is June, a time for recitals. A time to reflect on all the exciting June’s we spent together, one large family gathered together to end the year with the ‘joy of dance’.

To all of us who were in some way touched by Evelyne’s warmth, strength and energy, may we remember all the happiness she brought into our lives. May Evelyne’s family hold on to those precious memories, and somehow manage to carry on with her in their hearts.

Now Bob and Evelyne are reunited, and I’m sure that Evelyne will waste no time entering heaven’s gates in order to teach her first dance class in heaven.

Our deepest sympathy to the family and love forever to a very, very special person who will be dearly missed.

Barbara (Fox) and Trevor Smallwood
Naramata, BC