Evelyn Felice

Against her family’s long-held belief that she would live forever, Evelyn Porch Felice, 104, passed away peacefully on November 4th, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family. Born on May 10, 1921, in Istanbul, Turkey, to John and Mary Porch, Evelyn’s life was defined by joy, curiosity, and an unshakable zest for living.

The middle of three daughters, Evelyn spent her early childhood in Istanbul with her parents, siblings, and maternal grandparents. At ten years old, she said good-bye to her grandparents forever and immigrated with her family to the United States. It was on that journey that Evelyn tasted pizza for the first time — a memory she delighted in sharing for decades to come.

Growing up in New York City, Evelyn’s tenacity and independence emerged early. At just 14, she quit school and began working at the Museum of Modern Art, fibbing about her age to secure the job. Her natural intellect and fluency in six languages quickly made her indispensable at an important time for the museum. She assisted in translation and correspondence for priceless art being brought to the United States for safe keeping during World War II. Her time at the museum brought her into contact with many luminaries, including Albert Einstein, Sara Roosevelt, and her lifelong crush, Charlie Chaplin.

Also at the age of 14, Evelyn met her husband to-be, Edmund Felice, at a Maltese dance. After their 5-year courtship, they wed on November 30, 1940. Together they built a marriage and a life filled with family, partnership, and adventure. They raised two daughters, Mary Ann and Bernadette, first in Brooklyn and later in Lindenhurst, New York. Ahead of her time, Evelyn worked outside of the home while raising her daughters. After retiring at 55 in 1976, Evelyn and Edmund moved to Inverness, Florida, where they spent nearly two joyful decades traveling widely — across the U.S. in their camper as well as abroad — and cultivating a rich circle of friends. Visits from her grandkids to Florida always included “Grandma Spoiling Days” to spend time together having fun.

When her husband became ill in 1993, they moved to North Carolina to be closer to family. She lived in Wilmington for 14 years where she stayed active and busy. In true Evelyn fashion, she established a robust social life, was an active member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, part of Catholic Daughters, a joyful member of the Red Hats, and a member of the local bowling league. She loved fishing, gardening, sewing, knitting, and was known for her cream puffs. She and her friends went on trips including weekend jaunts up to Atlantic City to play the slots and see Tom Jones.

A lifelong learner and never one to resemble her biological age, Evelyn never lost her curiosity or determination to grow. Though she left school as a teenager to work, she proudly returned to complete her education, earning her GED at age 74 — celebrated with a full graduation party including cap & gown.

In 2007, she moved with Bernadette & Richard up to Apex, NC. She joined the local bowling league, continued to grow her large network of friends, and cherished her Friday morning bowling & McDonalds outings with her great grandchildren. Spending time with her great-grandchildren was the truest joy of her life in her later years, as she was so exceedingly proud. She was a special gift that was part matriarch, part historian, and all love for them. She was also proudly the subject of many college essays.

Evelyn’s joie de vivre was her defining trait. She approached every stage of life with humor, openness, and energy that inspired all who knew her. Whether riding water slides with her grandkids in her 60s, tubing behind a boat with her great grandkids at 93, or riding a jet ski at 100, she proved that age was no barrier to adventure. Her 100th birthday was celebrated on the Today Show — a dream realized by her devoted grandchildren.

She is now joyfully reunited with her beloved husband, parents, grandparents, and many other cherished loved ones who went before her. Evelyn leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, curiosity, and vitality that will continue to guide those who loved her.

She is survived by her daughters Mary Ann (Eugene) Irene of Durham, NC and Bernadette (Richard) Ward of Apex, NC; five grandchildren — Michael (Amy) Irene, Brian (Bethany) Ward, Christy (Greg) Paschall, David (Aimee) Ward, and Jill (Brian) McCabe; seven great-grandchildren — Bridget, Brooke, Andrew, Sean, Anna, Kennedy, and Jason; along with many loving nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church in Apex, NC on Friday November 14th at 1:30 p.m., after which the family will receive friends to share memories and stories at the home of Brian and Jill McCabe, 152 Briarfield Drive in Apex. Inurnment will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Wilmington, NC on Saturday, November 15th, at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to your local church or a charitable organization in Evelyn’s honor. The greatest tribute to her memory, however, is to live as she did — with faith, laughter, and a joyful spirit.

Evelyn knew that life was meant to be lived — and she lived hers beautifully.

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Brown Wynne Cary is honored to serve the Felice family.