Evelyn Hacking

1922 - 2025

Evelyn Ruby Hacking, beloved wife of the late Gordon Hacking, passed away at the Taber Hospital on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at the age of 102 years. She spent her last days surrounded by loving family and friends.

Evelyn will be forever missed by her children Lois (Phil) Boras of Coaldale, Keith (Karen) Hacking of Calgary and David (Doris) Hacking of Medicine Hat. She was the loving grandmother of Erin Boras, Cheryl (Matt) Fay, Brett (Lindsay) Hacking, Shawn (Phalen) Hacking, Taryn Hacking (Travis Fox) and Lauren (Jesse) Coleman. She was also the proud great grandmother of Blake Coleman, Ellie Hacking, Rowan Fay, Sloane Fay, Madden Hacking, Elaina Hacking, Kaia Hacking and Kayce Coleman. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Evelyn was predeceased by her husband Gordon (1975); four siblings and their spouses, sister Pearl (N. L. “Mac”) McCartee, brothers Gordon (Betty) Kinzell, Harold (Margaret) Kinzell and Clifford “Bud” (Dora) Kinzell. She was also predeceased by Gordon’s sisters Eileen Hacking, Merle (A. B. “Brin”) Brown and Marjorie (Don) Smith, and his brother Frank Hacking.

Evelyn was born December 22, 1922, to John and Bertha (née Lee) Kinzell, on the family farm three miles south of Retlaw. After completing high school in Taber, she worked as a telephone operator for Alberta Government Telephones for several years. She married Gordon in April of 1946 while he was stationed at the Taber R.C.M.P. detachment. They were transferred to Lomond, then Vauxhall, back to Taber in 1956 and finally posted to Edmonton. The family returned to Taber in 1962 after Gordon retired from the R.C.M.P. to accept the position of Chief of Police.

After her mother’s passing in 1973, Evelyn and her sister Pearl took over the operation of the Kinzell farm. They worked in close partnership until Pearl’s death in 2004.

Evelyn spent countless hours supporting Gordon’s baseball and hockey coaching, including travelling with his teams to tournaments in Alberta and outside the province, in place of family vacations. She was very proud to be recognized as a Life Member of the United Church Women, for her years of service with the Progressive Unit at Knox United Church in Taber. She volunteered with Taber Meals on Wheels and canvassed for various charities throughout the years. Evelyn loved gardening and took pride in maintaining a beautiful yard full of flowers. She considered herself fortunate to have been able to stay in her own home until the age of ninety five.

Evelyn leaves behind a legacy of resilience, quiet faith, and unwavering devotion to her family.

A private burial in the Taber Memorial Garden and celebration of life to honour Evelyn will be held.

The family would like to thank special friends Petra Walters, Tracie Baceda, Betty (Ted) Pike and Sharon (Barry) Ainslie for their care and love for Mom.