Major Miriam Evenden

Major Miriam A. Evenden was Promoted to Glory on Monday April 16, 2018 in her 90th year. Beloved wife of the late Major Kenneth Evenden, mother of Karen (George) Williams, Barbara (Colm) Evenden-Bartley, Catherine Evenden & Major Neil (Merrilee) Evenden. Grandmother of David & Brian (Deliah) Williams, Ian (Courtney) & Mark Evenden, Great-Grandmother of Hayden & Jordyn Williams and Collins Evenden.
Miriam was born on December 4, 1928 in Dundas ON to Colonels Cornelius and Millie Knaap. As officer children, brother Tom, twin sister Mildred and sister Joyce lived in a variety of communities including Dundas ON, Toronto ON & Moncton NB. In order to complete school during World War II, Miriam along with her twin Mildred, moved to Toronto. Upon completion of High School, Miriam went to work for Oxford University Press.
In September 1949, Miriam entered The Salvation Army’s Training College and was ordained and commissioned as an officer in The Salvation Army in June 1950. She was appointed as a Sergeant at the Training College for one year, before being appointed as Corps Officer (Pastor) of the Whitby Corps. Upon her marriage to Ken Evenden on June 25, 1952, they served together as Corps Officers in Bracebridge, Fairbank Corps (Toronto), Kitchener and Scarborough.
She wrote a monthly column for The Salvation Army Women’s magazine, The Home Leaguer. This column, “Dear Pamela” shed light on events around the Evenden family for over 20 years. The short articles where edited, combined and published into two books, “With this Ring come Many Surprises” and “Please don’t Squash the Toothpaste.” The final stories detail her experience with Breast Cancer.
Miriam became well known as a speaker and Bible teacher, especially for Women’s Camps. She was a Brown Owl and served on the executive of the Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada. In the late 1970’s Miriam help develop The Salvation Army Heritage Center and travelled extensively gathering Canadian Salvation Army History. It was during her leadership that the Heritage Center was built on the CFOT property in Toronto. She concluded her active officership as the Territorial Literary Secretary.
Upon retirement in 1992, the Evendens moved to Curve Lake ON where they enjoyed the beauty of nature from their waterfront property, and Miriam especially enjoyed her Paddle Boat. They attended the Peterborough Temple, where they were faithful soldiers. They wintered in Florida and attended the Clearwater Corps and had great fellowship with both their Canadian and American friends. Eventually they moved into Empress Gardens in Peterborough and then together they moved to Woodhaven Long Term Care Residence in Markham ON.