Andree Angele McEvoy

October 27, 1926 – November 12, 2021

Born in Bouvignies, Belgium, to parents Omer and Emilie Beerens, and having lived through World War II and the German occupation, Andree met Jim McEvoy of the US Army following the Battle of the Bulge. His artillery unit was stationed near her family farm. They maintained a relationship by correspondence throughout the remainder of the war. They were married when Jim was on leave in September 1945.

Following the liberation of Belgium, Andree was able to relocate to the United States, along with 3,000 newly married brides on the War Bride ship SS Brazil in May of 1946. She arrived in New York and took a train to Des Moines, Iowa where she was greeted by Jim and then introduced to an Iowa farm life.

Andree and Jim were blessed with four children during their years in Iowa. They relocated to Grand Junction, Colorado in 1965 and lived in the same home on Hillcrest Manor for 50 years. Andree worked in the surgical department at St. Mary’s Hospital for 26 years and made many lifelong friends. She also found friendship in other French speaking residents living in the Grand Valley.

Andree was fond of cooking, baking, the French Chef and hosted many family dinners. She will always be remembered for the mouth watering thin crepes, with jelly inside that highlighted many family breakfast gatherings. She was a very accomplished knitter and watched TV while knitting complicated patterns. She learned to knit as a child and recalled knitting her own socks during the War. Andree obtained a Home Economics degree in Belgium before she was married and used this training to run the household for the first 20 years of married life.

In July of 2019 Andree’s home was struck by lighting and she was forced to leave her Grand Junction home for the last time. She relocated to Arvada Colorado to be near her family. She passed away due to complications of lymphoma at the age of 95. Her husband, Jim McEvoy preceded her death in 2010, also at the age of 95. She is survived by Joan McEvoy, Westminster, CO, Phil McEvoy, Boulder, CO, Terry McEvoy, Colmar, France and Gail Alfares, Kuwait City, Kuwait, as well as 12 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. A Catholic Mass will be celebrated in her honor at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Grand Junction on Saturday April 9th at 11:00 AM.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cristmortuary.com for the McEvoy family.