Betty Evans

On October 20, 2007, Mary Elizabeth Gardiner “Betty” Evans peacefully left this world surrounded by her four children and other cherished family members and went to join her Lord and many loved ones. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrate at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 25, 2007 in the Gabriels Funeral Chapel, 393 North IH-35 in Georgetown. Betty’s journey in this world began on December 22, 1915, in Syracuse, New York. The only daughter of Patrick Morgan and Clara Stimson Gardiner, she attended a convent school until high school, then graduated from Central High in Syracuse in 1932. During her early years, she also spent a year and a half in a sanatorium battling tuberculosis. She attended Syracuse University, then moved to New York City where she became a model, a dancer with a traveling troupe, a member of the staff of Mike Todd, the theatrical producer, and a secretary. She met Joshua Lloyd “Chick” Evans, Jr. in 1940 while working on a political campaign, and the two were married on September 21, 1941 in Baldwinsville, New York. After eleven years of marriage, she and Chick had the first of their four children, and she devoted her life to raising them and to caring for her mother. In 1957, the family moved to Dallas, Texas, and in 1963 they moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota. She was an active volunteer throughout those years, serving as a PTA officer, Girl Scout leader, Great Books leader, and Rotary Youth Exchange committee person. Upon Chick’s retirement in 1975, they moved to Austin, Texas, and in 1977 decided to make Georgetown their home. Once here, she continued her volunteer work. Betty became a Meals on Wheels driver and board member from its beginning in Georgetown; a Friend of the Library; one of the first lay lectors at St. Helen Catholic Church; a case worker for the St. Vincent de Paul Society; and a board member for the Caring Place during its early years. She lived her Catholic faith every day and taught her family by example. After suffering a stroke in January, 1995, nine months after the death of her husband, Betty was forced to give up her independence and volunteer work, but she continued to teach grace, acceptance, and perseverance, inspiring all who knew her, and the last twelve years of her life were filled with family, books, travel, and her religion. Her sparkling eyes and loving nature will be missed by her four children: Margaret Vargo of Georgetown; David Evans and wife, Robin, of Minneapolis; Jane Wilson and husband, King, of Georgetown; and Thomas Evans of Minneapolis; her grandchildren John Byron Vargo, Russell Vargo, and Cheryl Brinkmeyer and husband, Shane, of Georgetown; Erin Vargo of Los Angeles, CA; Alan Vargo and wife, Robin, of Brewerton, NY; Joel Evans of Stillwater, MN; Erika Forgionne and husband, Joe, of Minneapolis; Quincy Wade and wife, Courtney, of Georgetown; Lee Wade and wife, Stephanie, of San Antonio; Heather Evans and Patrick James Evans of Seoul, South Korea; Kelly Evans and Timothy Evans of Minneapolis; and eight great grandchildren. The family would like to thank Hospice Austin for their loving care and support over the past twenty months, especially Nancy, Lori, Bernie, and Becky. They would also like to thank Patsy Robledo of Visiting Angels for her tender care and companionship during this past year. Betty loved and appreciated you all. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Helen Catholic Church in Georgetown or to the Georgetown Public Library. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 24, 2007 in the Gabriels Funeral Chapel. There will be a recitation of the Rosary at 7:00 p.m.