Evelyn Margaret (Cunningham) O’Shaughnessy
May 2nd 1930 – March 4th 2026
Evelyn O’Shaughnessy passed away peacefully at Rose Villa in Rosetown on March 4, 2026 at the age of 95. Ev was born in Morse, SK. in 1930 to Amelia and Gottfred Seibel. She was the second oldest of six girls. Ev attended a one room country school, riding to school in a horse draw buggy with her sisters and later completed her education in Swift Current.
Ev’s life long passion was to become a nurse. She attended Providence Nurses Training in Moose Jaw, SK. Upon graduating she began nursing in Swift Current in Saskatoon, Sk. It was there, nursing, that she met David Cunningham. They were married in Saskatoon in 1955 and lived on the farm south of Zealandia. They had one daughter, Shelley Rae. Tragically David passed away in 1964 at the age of 32.
Ev and Shelley moved to Zealandia and Ev began nursing in Rosetown. She was one of the youngest nurses to become a Matron at the Rosetown Hospital. Ev met Gordon O’Shaughnessy also at the hospital. Their first date was on New Year’s Eve and they were married a few months later on March 7, 1970. Gordon moved his new family to Rosetown and they began farming south of Rosetown on the Gillies farm.
Ev and Gordon enjoyed many prosperous years farming. Ev embraced the farm and pitched in to help wherever she could, cleaning bins, picking rocks, poisoning gophers, moving vehicles, cooking and making tea and coffee snacks for her husband twice per day.
Shelley was married in 1978 and had two Daughters Chelsea and Jessica. Ev was a doting grandmother who loved to shop often buying matching clothes for her precious granddaughters. Ev loved to help Shelley out on the farm with gardening and dishes. She helped prepare and serve many meals to the Bison Crew on the annual fall round up.
Ev and Gordon were able to travel to many states on several bus trips including Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Texas, Tennessee, and flew to Hawaii several times. Their most memorable trip was to Australia and New Zealand for a month in 1984.
Ev and Gordon enjoyed a trip to Fairmont Hot Springs every summer. They also had a trailer at Aquado and enjoyed golfing, cards and campfire evenings with friends and family.
Ev and Gordon enjoyed Dance Club, Seniors Cards, golfing, curling, and going out for coffee with friends.
Just after their retirement from farming Gordon became very ill with Encephalitis. Ev devotedly visited Gordon at the Rosetown Lodge almost every day for 10 years until he passed away in 2001. The only days that she missed visiting Gordon were when she was taking Cancer treatments. Ev survived Cancer twice in her life time which was due to a very strong faith that had sustained her throughout her life.
Ev belonged to the Rosetown United Church, the United Church Women (Federettes) and the United Church Group of Compassionate Friends. Ev faithfully attended church every Sunday until she was unable to. Also Ev was very proud to have been in Royal Purple for 50 years contributing to her community. She also enjoyed playing Bridge with her friends and often entertained for one or two tables of Bridge in her home.
Ev was blessed with six great grandchildren which were the joy of her senior years. She was very interested in their lives and was always up to date on all of their activities.
Ev moved into Steward Manor in 2010 and enjoyed “coffee row”, turkey and pizza suppers in the Condo with all of her friends. She also enjoyed entertaining her family at the Condo as every family Birthday was a special event.
Due to failing health Ev moved to the Rose Villa in 2024 where she continued to enjoy seeing her family and friends. Grateful to all who visited her, called her on the phone and sent cards, notes and gifts.
She was predeceased by her husband David Cunningham (1964) and her second husband Gordon O’Shaughnessy in 2001. Her sisters Louise Sutherland, Lorraine Hesse, Lillian Johnson, and Doreen McNamee. several brother- in- laws, two nieces and two nephews.
Ev is survived by her daughter, Shelley Eckart (Ken Sears). Two granddaughters Chelsea (Warren) Weese, Hunter, Hailey, Hanna, Hudson, and Jessica and (Reid) Mcleod, Conway and Lilly all of Plenty. Her sister Eleanor Loeppky of Swift Current, brother-in-law Swede Johnson of Regina, brother and sister- in-law Ken and Joyce Cunningham of Rosetown, brother and sister-in-law Merv and Juanita Legge of Rosetown and sister-in-law Patricia McPhadden of Penticton, B.C.. “Auntie Ev” is also survived by her many nieces and nephews and great nieces and great nephews.
A memorial service was held on Wednesday, March 11th at 2:00 pm at Shanidar Funeral Services. A luncheon followed the service. Donations made in Ev’s memory can be made to the Rosetown United Church or the Canadian Cancer Society. Interment will be held at the Zealandia Cemetery on May 2nd, 2026 at 2:00 pm.
Arrangements entrusted to Shanidar Funeral Services.