Mary Evelyn Walker

Mary Evelyn Walker passed away peacefully on April 16,2022 surrounded by the family she cherished so much. She was born on October 25,1925 in Forsyth, Montana to Fred G. Coombe and Edith (Spradlin) Coombe. The youngest of five girls, her early years were spent on a homestead in eastern Montana without running water or electricity until the 1930’s. She became an accomplished horse rider at an early age to help her older sisters take care of the livestock on the ranch. Her education began in a one-room schoolhouse and later she boarded out to attend high school. It was said a dance wasn’t a dance until the Coombe girls arrived. Mary graduated from Custer County High School in Miles City, Montana.

Her parents relocated to Iowa and eventually Arkansas where her father farmed. Mary, like her oldest sister Frances, went into nursing. She graduated from Saint Vincent Infirmary in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1947 as a registered nurse. Her sister Freeda stayed in Arkansas where part of the family still lives.

Through her sister Hilda who had remained in Montana, Mary Evelyn, also called Evie, met and later married Joseph Walker on June 18,1948 in Bozeman, Montana. One of five boys raised on a ranch in the area, Joe had enlisted in the Army. Their adventures and moves across several states began with his assignment to Utah where Marita was born. When Joe was stationed in Korea, Mary returned to Iowa. Her second child, Lynn was born there. In California, the Walker’s next home, Audrey was born. For a while, the family then lived at Fort Richardson in Alaska. Briefly living in Washington, then Arkansas while Joe again returned to Korea, the Walkers finally returned to California. In 1964, Joe and Evie bought the home where she resided until her death at the age of 96.

Mary Evelyn worked for the Sepulveda VA Hospital in California for 36 years until her retirement on October 31, 1990. At the time of her retirement, she had been the head nurse for the intensive care unit. In total, Evelyn was a RN for 45 years. Even in retirement, she shared her nursing skills.

Mary loved to travel and spending time with her family. She enjoyed a daily walk, the beach, a good game of Pitch, dinners out, and trips with her daughters. She kept in touch with Montana sisters Hilda, Inez, and Frances, visiting when she could. She followed the activities and lives of her 9 granddaughters and later 19 great-grandchildren. Beloved as “Grammy”, she often hosted gatherings in her home and backyard garden.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 37 years, and all four of her sisters. While three of her sisters lived to 90 or more, it is Evie who was the last of her generation.

She is survived by Marita Seibert (Vance) of Temecula, CA; Lynn Walker (Diana) of Livingston, MT; Audrey Edwards of Granada Hills, CA; and her granddaughters, great grandkids, and numerous nephews and nieces. Her first great-great grandchild is due on her birthday.

Funeral arrangements are in care of Eternal Valley Memorial Park Mortuary, 23287 N. Sierra Highway, Newhall, CA. A viewing will be held from 5 – 9 pm, May 12th,2022 at the mortuary. The funeral for Mary Evelyn will begin on 10 am, May 13th. A Montana gathering in her honor is planned for later. Her final resting place will be next to Joe in Eternal Valley Memorial Park.

Mary Evelyn’s smile, easy manner, warmth, and loving heart will live on in our hearts.