Evelyn Landry

Evelyn Yturri Landry, 87, much-loved wife, mother, sister and aunt, passed away on Sunday, November 28th, 2021. A San Antonio native, she was born to Edward Howard Yturri and Enedina Holland Yturri on December 12th, 1933, the 6th of 7 children. Family was of utmost importance to Mom. They were a tight knit family and always quite close even if some of them lived a distance apart. She was born on the ranch that has been in our family since 1731 when it was given as a land grant by the King of Spain to one of 16 families that came from the Canary Islands to settle what was then New Spain. Mom was always very proud of our familys long and important place in the history of San Antonio and Bexar County.

Mom met my dad, Alton Edwin Landry, at St.Marys Catholic Church (where she attended church and was actively involved for years as well as attending St. Marys School through high school following Bonham Elementary). Dad was in the Air Force and stationed in San Antonio. He had recently converted to Catholicism. He commented on a poster she had made and she was impressed when she heard him speaking in French to the French soldiers that were with him. (he spoke 5 languages). They knew each other for 9 years (the USAF took him to Germany during several of those years) before marrying at St.Marys on Aug 12, 1961.

Mom attended Our Lady of the Lake University where she earned a Bachelors in Sociology and a Masters in Social Work. She was a pediatric social worker at Santa Rosa Hospital as well as the Methodist Hospital and Baptist Hospital system. In Germany, she worked as the first AIDS social worker at Landstuhl Hospital where she received numerous recognitions and awards. I asked her once why she became a social worker and she told me it was because she wanted to help people. I wish I knew those she helped so I could find out more stories about my mom. I know she helped one mans family so much that about a year later, he brought his infant daughter, Evelyn, to meet her one day.

But BY FAR, her favorite roles were wife and mother. In 1966 they took a chance on a strangers baby and adopted me. Two and half years later they had my brother, Erich. Mom allowed us to fill our house with friends, put on plays in the backyard, have amazing parties on the patio, grow a garden during my " Little House on the Prairie" phase, have countless sleepovers, (some favorites were when Dina, Howard and Evelyn would visit from Missouri!!) hauled us to endless piano and other lessons, have picnics in the backyard, make cookies, pizza and other inventions in the kitchen, build pillow forts in the den, dance down the hallway by the bedrooms, make " potions" in the bathroom, eat raw cookie dough, celebrate birthdays and holidays in multiple thoughtful, festive and loving ways. In short, she made the ordinary EXTRAORDINARY.

Mama always had beautiful gardens and flower beds. After a day at work, seeing sometimes very disturbing cases, her relaxation was to come home, put on her house dress and water her flowers. I can picture her now.

When they lived in Germany for 7 years (one of the highlights of her life) they enjoyed traveling extensively around Europe as well many friendships. Travel was always super important to her- she travelled a lot before she married and instilled in us a love of the beauty of other cultures as well as a love for music (took me to my first musical at the Majestic Theater- The King and I with Yul Brynner) art, dance, lovely things in an equally lovely home.

When my parents retired, they were very active in ALIR (Adult Learning In Retirement) taking numerous classes from Tai Chi to wine tasting to French to Art. My mom was an extremely talented water color artist- even having a one woman Art show at one point. Even after she lost her sight, she could draw better unsighted than many other people could (myself included) fully sighted!! She was also active in St. Monicas Guild and attended Church at Espada Mission regularly.

My mother was my best friend, my best cheerleader and my staunchest supporter who made it abundantly clear my entire life how much I was cherished and loved. She always had a smile on her face and was gracious and polite even when she was suffering. She handled adversities with grace and dignity. She was warm and loving to people from all walks of life regardless of color, religion or nationality. She loved this life immensely and made the most of every minute. A mothers love is one of the very greatest loves and I was blessed enough to experience that for 55 years. She was 87 years young and missed her own mother every day for the past 49 years. I know she is in Heaven enjoying that reunion with her, my dad and family members and friends that have gone before her. I love you Texas big Mama. I keep you in my heart always and forever.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband Alton Edwin Landry; her parents, Edward Howard Yturri and Enedina Yturri; her sisters Helen Yturri and Henrietta Ames; and her brother, Robert Yturri. She is survived by her children Annemarie Landry and Erich Landry (Holly); grandchildren, Robert Kirkpatrick (Rhianna), Katherine Kirkpatrick, Thomas Kirkpatrick. Samuel Kirkpatrick and Lily Landry; siblings, Edward Yturri, John Yturri and Alice Yturri Pena as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

ROSARY

MONDAY, DECEMBER 6,2021

9:30 AM

MISSION SAN FRANCISCO DE LA ESPADA

10040 ESPADA ROAD

MASS

MONDAY, DECEMBER 6,2021

10 AM

MISSION SAN FRANCISCO DE LA ESPADA

10040 ESPADA ROAD

Fr. Herb Jones will officiate. Interment will follow at San Fernando II Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to this amazing organization run by an angel on earth who took such loving care of my mother (and me) during this most difficult time. She is a blessing to everyone who meets her- 2 legged and 4 legged creatures as well! I can never express my gratitude and appreciation enough to my dear sister/friend Kaz Sephton.

https://ghk9rescue.org/golden-horns-k9-rescue/

Kaz Sephton

Founder/Director Golden Horn's K9 Rescue

You can PayPal donations here: [email protected]

P.O. Box 39814

San Antonio, TX 78218

501 (c) (3) EIN 83-2605634

(210) 383 9611

https://ghk9rescue.org/golden-horns-k9-rescue/

https://www.facebook.com/inlovingmemoryofGoldenHorn