The death occurred suddenly at her home in on Thursday,
August 24, 2023, of Rev. Evelyn Mary Isobel Carpenter, of Pitt Island
Road, Alberton, age 82 years. Born at Kendal, SK, on March 31, 1940,
she was the daughter of the late Frank Joseph and Mary Elizabeth
Isobel (nee Mitchell) Carpenter, of Alberton.
She is survived by her sister-in-law, Connie (late Dean)
Carpenter, of Alberton, and by nephews, Todd Carpenter, of Halifax,
and Scott (Angela) Carpenter, of Summerside. Great-aunt of Rhiannon,
Samson, and Taralyn. She was predeceased by her brother, Dean
Carpenter, in 1999.
Right out of high school she began summer school at PWC
(Prince of Wales College, Charlottetown), working off University
credits toward a BA from Mt. Allison in 1966, and a BEd the following
summer-school at Mt. Allison, also in 1966. Evelyn taught
school for one year following high school graduation at West Devon,
then for five more years in Alberton Jr. and Sr. High School, teaching
primarily English and History.
Following graduation from Mt. A, Evelyn taught high school
English in Port Alberni, Vancouver Island, BC. There she decided to go
into new territory by entering Knox College, University of Toronto,
graduating in 1970 with a Bachelor of Thealogy, and in 1972 with a
Masters of Theology. Ordained in 1973 at Leaside Presbyterian Church,
Toronto, Evelyn worked in a team ministry in east-end Toronto,
amalgamating three congregations into one, emphasizing community
ministry and outreach. In 1980, Evelyn received and accepted a call to
First Presbyterian Church, New Glasgow, NS, being the first woman to
receive a call to a congregation in the Maritimes, serving there from
1980-1988. In 1987, Evelyn's name was placed in nomination for
Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Canada, the first woman to
have her name nominated for such an office. Also in 1988, Evelyn was
the first woman minister to give the MacDonald Memorial Lecture at
Knox College, University of Toronto.
In 1988, Evelyn received and accepted a call to First
Presbyterian Church, Chatham, ON, where she lived (owned her own home)
for 14 years. Following retirement from full time ministry in 2002,
she served half time for four years at a nearby congregational Church,
in Dover Center, in the fall of 2006, retiring "home" to
PEI, Alberton RR1, Mill River waterfront.
Evelyn enjoyed camping ministry opportunities, both at Keir
Camp, PEI, (growing up on PEI) and later on; for example, during
studies at Knox College. For five summers, Evelyn served as Special
Director of the Church's wilderness camp, Camp Iona, in Bala
(Muskoka), ON. Later, Evelyn also enjoyed preparing a formal meal for
family during retirement years on PEI, so much enjoying her waterfront
property on Mill River and familyship with long-time Alberton friends
and family.
Throughout all these years of being allowed and called to
serve God's Church beyond expectations, Evelyn was careful to give God
all praise and glory for such opportunity and
privilege.
Resting at the Rooney Funeral Home, Alberton, for visitation
Tuesday afternoon, August, 29th from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Funeral to follow
from the E. Gerald Rooney Memorial Chapel, at 2:00 p.m., Rev. Dawn
Griffiths officiating. Interment in Hillcrest Cemetery,
Alberton.
As an expression of sympathy memorials to the Evangel Hall
Missions (552 Adelaide Street West, Toronto, ON M5V-9Z9) would be
gratefully appreciated by the family.
The Funeral Service will be lived streamed on the Rooney
Funeral Home facebook Page starting at 2:00 p.m.
www.rooneyfh.ca