Evelyn Croft Laviage

Evelyn was born and raised in Houston, the oldest of three children by Molly and Jack Croft. At a young age Evelyn showed much talent in the arts and mastered the piano and ballet. At the age of 15, she received a dancing scholarship in California, where she went alone to study with talented ballerinas to perform on stage. This was one of her proudest and fondest memories, and she always spoke about her adventure and often told stories about meeting Gene Kelly while she was there.

Prior to her mother Molly’s passing when Evelyn was just 17 years old, her mother told her “The Laviage boys’ make great husbands”. After she graduated high school, Evelyn met Charlie Laviage in Galveston under the boardwalk at Murdocks on the Seawall. And just like that, her mother’s wish came true- Evelyn and Charlie were smitten with each other and were married just three months later. Charlie was the love of Evelyn’s life, and the center of her universe for the next 71 years.

Evelyn’s family grew with the birth of Marlene and five years later, a son Ronald, and the family did everything together. Fun times at Galveston, countless nights at the baseball field to cheer Charlie on, visits to Miller Outdoor Theater, and many family gatherings with her extended Laviage family of many brothers and sisters in law and countless nieces and nephews. She was also very close with her brother Kenneth and sister Barbara and shared many holidays and family affairs with them.

Evelyn liked to stay busy and taught piano and dance to the neighborhood children. When Charlie needed help at his Pawn Shop and scrap metal business she was there with a helping hand. She also worked for her sister and brother-in-law’s entertainment business in the ticket office where she met many celebrities. Later she worked in her daughter’s business, always finding ways to keep busy and be productive.

They were members of Westwood Country Club and Evelyn enjoyed playing tennis and golf with her beloved Charlie and other friends and family members. She traveled with them and enjoyed their closeness and their company.

Evelyn was blessed with three grandchildren, Marka, Lisa and Steven, and two great grandchildren, Emme and Stone. They all found various ways to spend time with her and be a part of her life. She attended their extracurricular activities, heard their stories and shared stories with them as well.

After her beloved Charlie passed away she adopted a dog Mollie. She found joy and happiness with her company, always carrying a box of treats in her pocket and teaching her new tricks.

Evelyn is survived by her son and daughter in law, Ronald and Susan Laviage, grandchildren Marka Shapiro, Lisa Shapiro Hoover and Steven Laviage, and great grandchildren Emme and Stone Hoover, and her sister Barbara Squires. She was preceded in death by her husband Charlie, daughter Marlene Laviage Tanner, her brother Kenneth Croft and wife Charlotte and brother in law Art Squires.

In lieu of flowers, we request donations be made to the Marlene Laviage Tanner Memorial Fund supporting pancreatic cancer research at Baylor College of Medicine. bcm.edu/giving/mtanner

A graveside service for Evelyn will be held Sunday, March 17, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Beth Yeshurun Post Oak, 7445 Awty School Road, Houston, TX 77055, Rabbi Brian Strauss, officiating.