With heartfelt sadness, we wish to share that our beloved mother, sister and Baba, Laura Evdokimoff, passed away peacefully from congestive heart failure at the Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital in Trail, BC on June 29, 2017.
Laura was born on May 8th, 1939 to John and Anne Kalmakov of Grand Forks, BC. She enjoyed her earliest life experiences “living off the grid” with her family in West Grand Forks in a remote valley beyond Spencer Hill. She began her schooling locally at Fructova school and later attended elementary and high school in Grand Forks where she graduated in 1957. Laura briefly worked at the Airport Garage before leaving to Trail, BC to attend business college, returning shortly afterward to Grand Forks for full-time employment at the main office of the Co-op store.
Laura married Robson resident Walter Evdokimoff in 1960 and within a few years they moved to Cranbrook, living there several years with their young family before moving back to Robson in 1973. They were well known in that community as the proprietors of the Vallar Farms orchard and as members of the Robson and Doukhobor community organizations. In Castlegar, Laura may also be remembered as one of the customer-friendly “Sears Ladies”.
With her husband’s unexpected passing in 2000, she simplified her affairs and purchased a home at Stellar Place in Castlegar where she enthusiastically became involved in various social and business aspects of that community. In her last years Laura was wheel-chair bound and as such, reliant on Home Support Services. She developed several close friendships with the staff. A fun loving person with a cheerful demeanor, she always welcomed and enjoyed visitations from her family and numerous other relatives and friends.
Laura was predeceased by her mother in 1994, her father in 1997 and her husband in 2000. She is survived by her daughter Valerie (Darren) McNeil of Calgary, her son Lawrence of Robson, four grandchildren and her brothers, Joe (Connie) Kalmakov of Salmon Arm and John (Luba) Kalmakov of Ootischenia.
Interment took place at the Brilliant Cemetery. A Celebration of Laura’s Life was held at the Castlegar Sandman Inn on Saturday, August 19th, 2017 at 1:00 PM. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made in Laura’s memory to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or any other charity of your choice.
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