A Life of Music, Family, and Community: Evelyn Agnes Richards

The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) remembers and honours the life of Evelyn Agnes Richards, a proud MNO citizen and longtime resident of Sault Ste. Marie.

 

Born and raised in the Gore Street area, Evelyn learned the value of hard work at an early age. At just 15 years old, she began cleaning houses and washing windows for neighbours, later working in retail at Woolco and Kmart.

 

Music was central to Evelyn’s life. She shared this passion with her husband, Raymond Richards, whom she married in 1942. Together, they performed throughout northern Ontario and were inducted into the Great Northern Opry Hall of Fame. Evelyn continued to sing and play guitar well into her later years, and music was always present in her home.

 

Evelyn remained actively involved in her community, including as a member of The Sault Rising Stars, a seniors’ performance group that used skits to raise awareness about issues such as elder abuse and fraud prevention.

 

A proud Métis woman, Evelyn valued family and time spent outdoors. She and Raymond raised four children and were blessed with nine grandchildren. The family cottage at Horseshoe Bay, built by Raymond in the 1950s, remained a special gathering place for generations and a source of lasting memories. Raymond passed away in 2016.

 

Evelyn lived her life with kindness, creativity, and pride in her Métis identity. She often shared words inspired by her love of music, believing that “life is a song, love is the music.”

 

The Métis Nation of Ontario extends its sincere condolences to Evelyn’s family and loved ones, and honours her life and legacy.