E V I E

Evie went home to be with God in October, 2003.

She hadn't been able to march with us that summer prior,
and I think we all knew that we'd have to start saying our final "Goodbyes" very soon.

Before she passed, she was able to attend The Spirit of 469's late-August victory party
after we won Nationals in St. Louis, MO.
The trophies we brought home from that trip were, of course,
as much hers as they were ours,
and we're glad she got a chance to hold them before she left us.

At the funeral home, we gave her the best "send-off" we knew how.
(What does a group DO when their Chaplain dies?
After all, this funeral stuff was HER "job"...)

We revised the funeral service from the Auxiliary guidebook and shared personal testimonies
about Evelyn's faith, spirit and her impact on all of us.
Diana played and sang, "Closer to Home" while Evelyn's sister Auxiliary members
each placed a poppy in her casket.

Then, after the visitors were gone and only her immediate family and color guard family were left,
we gathered around her casket and quietly sang our traditional song (which Evelyn had always loved):
"The Sheik of Arabie."

We'll see Evie again one day, and what a day of rejoicing that will be!
Until then, we remember her fondly--
her persistence as she struggled to finish parades when her breath and strength were failing;
her zest for life which belied her advanced age;
her good humor at times when others around her were losing theirs;
her support of those who needed encouragement and a kind word;
and those cheeky little taps on our backsides with her sabre as she teased along with the rest of us.

She was an inspiration and a blessing,
and there will never be another like her.

We miss you, Evie!

Below, in her own words, is Evie's story of how she came to march with this
rowdy little troupe known as The Spirit of 469.