Evelyn B. Walker

Evelyn B. Walker died March 3, 2026, at 98. Sort of. Actually, our mother slipped away on us quite some time ago, but the body that held her disease-ridden mind gave up today. Damn you, Alzheimer's, for taking our funny, quick-witted mother from us. We will continue to miss her every day. We sincerely thank the kind, sainthood-deserving staff members who cared for her at Crouse Community Center in Morrisville. You enabled her to decline with dignity, for which we will be forever grateful.

Evelyn Addie Breed was born to F. Randall and Pearl (Phillips) Breed on December 24, 1927, in Norwich, NY, and lived most of her days there. After graduating as salutatorian in 1946, she became one of the giggling girls from Norwich who took the weekly train trip to Binghamton to attend the Ridley Secretarial School. She was a valued employee of the US Agriculture Stabilization Service, NYS Fish & Wildlife Service, NYS Dept. of Labor, Chenango County Nursing Service, Chen. Co. Rural Housing Imp., Chen. Co. Planning Dept., and, for many years, as the personnel director at Bennett-Ireland, Inc.

On June 14, 1953, Evelyn married Frank G. Walker, who passed away in 2010. She was also predeceased by her sister, Mary Alice Breed; her half-siblings, Paul, Maurice, and Douglas Breed, and Helen Belden; her daughter-in-law, Esther Kline Walker; and her brother-in-law, Robert E. Buck.

Left to cherish her memory are her son, Brian R. Walker; daughter, Ruth Ann Walker-Gray and son-in-law, Timothy Gray; granddaughter, Megan Walker-Gray and husband, Kevin Lothridge; grandson, Ryan Walker-Gray and wife, Joana Assis Manuel; great-grandchildren, Emily and Maxwell Walker-Lothridge; sister, Ruth M. Buck; nephews, Stephen and Jeremy Buck; honorary niece Christina Walpole; and great nephew, Rowan Walpole Buck. These are the constants with whom Mom shared life's events. Many others also held a place in her heart.

We would be remiss in not taking this opportunity to thank Andy Nicastri and the staff at Nina's, who treated our parents like family and were quick to call to offer help when they didn't show up as expected; Mom's long-time hairdresser, Kim Fox, who was a kind and thoughtful friend and ever-vigilant in checking in on her; and Bev and Uwe Kuhn, both since passed, who rescued Mom from loneliness by taking her on as their sidekick after our father's passing. Their support and care were invaluable and deeply appreciated.

A private graveside service will take place at the North Norwich Cemetery.

We celebrate Mom's release and encourage you to honor her memory by lifting a glass of tawny port to toast a long life well-lived and well-loved.