Evelyn Marie Kirby

Evelyn was born in New Jersey, daughter of Anna Fago and Michael Pley, Jr.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband, William Winston Kirby (Winston), daughter Nancy Ellen Kirby, brothers Albert A. Pley and Paul J. Pley, and her longtime partner Arthur James Ellisor (Jim).

Evelyn attended Saint Francis School of Nursing in New Jersey. Upon receiving her nursing degree, she worked at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Maryland. Later she went on to head the Ear, Nose, and Throat Clinic at MCV (Medical College of Virginia; now Virginia Commonwealth University Hospital). Her nurturing and caretaking qualities were with her throughout her life.

Evelyn married Winston Kirby in 1949, and together they raised three children in their Mechanicsville home. She was active in her community, particularly the Walnut Grove Baptist Church, where she was a parishioner for many years.

In retirement, Evelyn and Winston traveled all over the United States, mostly in their camper. She visited each of the 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii. Evelyn especially loved National Parks, Yellowstone being a favorite destination. Following Winston’s passing, she joined the Loners on Wheels RV club and made many friends, eventually meeting her partner and companion for over 25 years, Jim. She moved with him to Mission, Texas, where they spent many happy years. She continued to travel into her 90s, spending part of each year in their Winnebago enjoying life on the road, attending rallies and events.

She spent many wonderful summers caring for her granddaughter, who would visit from New Hampshire. Activities included picking peaches and melons, visiting the local library, art museums, arts and crafts projects, playing in the yard, fishing in Uncle William’s pond, renting videos from the video store, and cooking. With Evelyn, there was always adventure, and it could often be found in even the most “ordinary” activities.

Evelyn was a talented seamstress; there was nothing she could not sew–from curtains to doll clothes, she had a gift. She also dabbled in embroidery and cross-stitch, as well as painting. Later on she was an enthusiastic stained glass maker and created many wonderful pieces. When macular degeneration claimed her eyesight in her later years, she still engaged in crafts with the help of the activities directors at Harmony Homes and later, Hanover Manor. She also enjoyed listening to books on tape, participating in Bingo and other group activities, exercising, and talking with her friends (she was known by all as a social butterfly), and attending church services and listening to sermons on the radio.

Evelyn especially loved to dance–she and Jim were active dancers for years, and attended many country and Western dances together. Her favorite song is “Waltz Across Texas.”

Left to cherish her memory are her beloved daughter Carol Lynn Kirby (Lynn) of New Hampshire, granddaughter Victoria Blair Galvin (nee Fredericks), great-grandson Luke Ellis Galvin, her son William Winston Kirby of Ashland and his longtime partner, JoAnne Felix, who served as her caretaker. She also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family, along with countless cherished friends, whose relationships she nurtured throughout her life. Evelyn was loved by many, and will be deeply missed by the many friends she made at both Harmony of Hanover and Hanover Manor where she last resided.

Interment at Signal Hill Memorial Park in Hanover will be held privately. In Evelyn’s memory, donations may be made to: The Macular Degeneration Association https://macularhope.org, The Brightfocus Foundation https://www.brightfocus.org/, or Hadley Vision Resources: https://hadleyhelps.org.