It is with great shock and sadness that Evelyn Anne Murphy’s family shares the news of her sudden yet peaceful passing on Tuesday, December 23rd, 2025, at TBRHSC, surrounded by loved ones.
Evelyn was born July 28th, 1951, in Québec City, Québec to proud parents John & Wilma Coughlin (née Weyman). She grew up as the middle child of three in Lévis, QC. Evelyn was a loving younger sister to Marilyn and a caring older sister to Brian. As a student, she worked hard and took pride in earning top marks throughout both elementary and high school. Summers were spent at the family’s Garneau Beach home where she met her lifelong friend Brenda. Together they shared many adventures like road trips to Old Orchard Beach in Maine and soaking up the excitement of Trudeaumania back home in Quebec.
In 1969, Evelyn moved to Sherbrooke, QC for nursing school but took a break in 1970 to work at the local CAA store on Grande-Allée before continuing her studies. She graduated as a Registered Nurse from Saint John School of Nursing in Saint John, NB in 1973. She fondly remembered weekend “lobster runs” with friends out to Grand Manan Island during that time. After graduating, job opportunities led her to Halifax where she started working at Halifax Infirmary. Soon after moving there, her whole family followed suit. It was also in Halifax that she met Chris Murphy-a charming Navy sailor-at the Fleet Club. Just three months later they married on February 22nd, 1975 at the Navy base where Chris was stationed.
A few years later their daughter Shauna Leanne was born while they lived in Halifax before making their way finally westward to Thunder Bay in 1978. Evelyn began working across various hospital units including ICU and Pediatrics at St Joseph’s Hospital then Neonatal ICU at Port Arthur General Hospital followed by psychiatric nursing at Lakehead Psychiatric Hospital before settling into Dawson Court in ’83. Around this time their second daughter Ashley Marie joined them too. She stayed with Dawson Court for the rest of her career where she became well respected as both leader and nurse practitioner who cared deeply about each patient. She was precise and always eager to learn more – really devoted herself fully to nursing which she saw as her true calling.
Evelyn retired from Dawson Court in 2016 ready for life’s next chapter centered entirely around family. She became the go-to caregiver for Shauna and Ashley’s kids-her grandchildren whom she helped raise from birth onward with all her heart. Spending nearly every day with them brought great joy and meaning; she was always there when needed offering advice or just listening quietly as someone you could count on no matter what-the trusted family nurse not only for daughters but close friends too. Those years meant everything to Evelyn watching grandchildren grow up and sharing countless first moments together which will never be forgotten by those who knew her best.
She leaves behind Chris -her husband of fifty years-daughters Shauna (Chris Jones) & Ashley (Deryk Fournier), grandkids Camden & Michaela Crupi plus Patryk, John & James Fournier; also siblings Marilyn Mc Avoy (Jack Ibel) from Halifax NS and Brian living in Moncton NB along with brother-in-law Vince Mc Avoy plus nephews Gary (Cathy) Mc Avoy & Brian (Katie) Mc Avoy plus great-nephew Ethan & niece Abbie Mc Avoy all based out of Halifax along with longtime best friend Brenda Barnett (Douglas Robertson) from Montréal QC who will miss her greatly too along with cousins and friends scattered between Thunder Bay Montréal Québec City New Brunswick & Halifax.
Evelyn went ahead of us predeceased by parents John & Wilma Coughlin (née Weyman), father-in-law Patrick Murphy mother-in-law Marie Murphy who was also a dear friend plus Tony Crupi grandfather-grandmother sets plus several aunts uncles along the way.
Evelyn had many sides: kind-hearted person anyone could approach easily bringing warmth humor light wherever she showed up. A committed wife mom grandma matriarch sister friend who loved Toronto Blue Jays games an ace Wordle player keeping tabs on current news locations of kin above all else proud focused devoted on family above everything else really.
The family sends thanks especially toward Dr Bryanne Minty Dr Kristina Pulkki Dr Paul de Bakker whose care over years has meant much also paramedics’ efforts alongside Dr Savage at TBRHSC deserve grateful mention too.
A Funeral Service will be held Monday January 5th 2026 starting promptly at eleven AM inside Sargent & Son Funeral Home located on twenty-one N Court Street Thunder Bay officiated by Rev Markus Arseneault visitation opens one hour earlier same venue prior service Private entombment planned later The funeral can also be watched live online via www. sargentandson. com or through their Facebook page.
Instead of flowers please consider donating money toward Northern Cancer Fund or Northern Cardiac Fund honoring Evelyn’s memory per wishes expressed kindly by Murphy family.
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