Mary Leora Evelo

Mary was born on March 13, 1942 to Mable and Paul Budd Sr. in Terre Haute, IN. She departed this life surrounded by her loved ones on June 24, 2021 in Security, Colorado after a courageous battle against AML Leukemia.

Mary graduated from Honey Creek High School in the spring of 1960. She married Michael Thomas Evelo on June 27, 1964. They moved to Riverside, California where Shelley Linn (1965) and Stephanie Michele (1967) were born. In 1972, she and Mike moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado to Cimarron Hills and within the same year moved to Widefield where they chose to set down roots. In 1976, Carrie Anne was born.

Mary is survived by her loving husband of 57 years, Mike; three daughters, Shelley D’Attilio (Mike), Stephanie Hardiek (Shawn), Carrie Hassler (Andy); Grandchildren, Kayleigh and Chase Hardiek, Mayah (Dusty) Hayne, Tyler (Sammi) Hassler, Michaela (Nick) Vasquez, Nicholas and Dominic D’Attilio, Jordan (Gary) Graef; Great grandchildren, Joanna and Holden Hayne, Anthony and Azekial Vasquez and Jasmin Graef; Siblings, Carolyn Carlson, Phyllis Warren, Linda Meneghini and Terry Budd; She is proceeded in death by her parents Mable and Paul Budd Sr, three brothers, Larry Budd, Paul Budd Jr., Ronald Budd and one sister Barbara Horsley. Mary had countless honorary children, grand children and great grand children whom love and miss her very much. She ran a full time home day care before she retired at 60.

Mary was a world traveler. She and Mike visited their middle daughter Stephanie and her family at several of their duty stations. Mary and Mike visited Grafenwohr, Germany in 2003 and Bamburg, Germany in 2010. They visited inside the United States at Ft. Drum, New York in 2006; Ft. Irwin, California in 2010 and 2011; Ft. Sam Houston, Texas in 2012 and 2013. In addition to Germany, Mary and Mike visted Daegu, South Korea in 2015, 2016 and 2017. In between all of those travels, they would go visit their eldest daughter Shelley and her family in Topeka, Kansas; as well as their hometown family and friends in Indiana. In all of her travels, she fell in love with Korea. Not only did she fall in love with the culture; but the people, food and the beauty all caught her eye and warmed her heart. She even has adopted grand children Heeyoung and Minjin and an adopted great grand daughter Kubo Sion. Mary favored all of the Korean dramas and the K-Pop group, CN Blue.

Mary was a proud supporter of the U.S. Military. She sent multiple care packages to soldiers fighting the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. As part of their support abroad, Mary and Mike would also purchase meals for uniformed soldiers and their families stationed at Ft. Carson at the couples favorite restaurants.

Mary was an avid reader. Every time you would see her, there was a book near by or in her hand. She loved wood burning, painting and drawing. If you had the pleasure of receiving one of her famous apple sauce cakes, either for your birthday or Christmas, you would be sure to get an original Mary Evelo painting on the box.

Every child Mary took care of got to hear and experience the rhyme that was passed down from generations known as Criss Cross Applesauce. As Mary tickled feet, arms, legs and backs she recited the words to the last “chi wee wee” (chilly willy). Most kids couldn’t say chilly willy so “chi wee wee” was a close second. There was always an endless echo of “Again, Again”.

She has impacted so many lives over the years. She was a special woman and her love and memories will live on for many generations to come.

The family would like to thank Rocky Mountain Cancer Center, Dr. Hyun Sue Kim and her staff for their knowledge, compassion and hope for Mary and her family. Dr. Kim called Mary a medical miracle but Mary considered Dr. Kim to be her miracle. The family would also like to thank Penrose Hospital Infusion Center for their caring and compassion.

There will be a celebration of life for Mary at Dove Witt Family Mortuary at 6630 S US Hwy 85/87 Fountain, Colorado 80817 on July 12, 2021 at 11:00 am.