Many years ago during the "Ligand" era of our lives,  I met  Evelyne, Dani, Brian and Caitlin for the first time on a Sunday afternoon.  I had heard for some time  that there was a very intelligent and pretty lady scientist working in the preclinical department, and she had triplets.  I asked myself, how did she do it, even with a caring husband, as everything they did had to be times 3, especially when we were in the midst of a late stage phase 3 lung cancer trial.  That afternoon the kids helped prepare the most delicious fresh guacamole, and they did it with such confidence. I saw the quiet assertiveness from Evelyne with them. Later I tried so many times to replicate what I learned from them, but it was never as tasty as from that afternoon.  

 Evelyne was my supervisor at Ligand for 9 years.  She was a kind, patient, and supportive boss.   She was also very fashionable.  She regularly dressed in skirts and blouses, a far cry from the jeans and casual shirts many of us wore in the lab.   She was so slim and always accessorized her outfits with simple yet elegant jewelry.  I will always remember the day I found out she was pregnant.  We were working side by side at the bench.  Evelyne was wearing a  short, flowing dress, which was not her usual style.  I heard someone say something about being pregnant.  I turned to Evelyne and asked, " Who's pregnant?".  She replied, " I am" and she hugged the dress closer to her body.  To my surprise,  there was her baby bump!   Then, she informed me that she was having triplets!     Evelyne was such a remarkable woman.  She never stopped learning.  She had such grit and determination.    I am amazed at how she successfully  juggled work and motherhood.    I so enjoyed hearing her talk about you and the things you did.   She loved you all so much.   My heart and prayers go out to each of you as you mourn her loss.  I know that her compassion, kindness and joie de vivre will live on in each of you. 

Len, Brian, Caitlin and Dani,
We are so sorry for your loss. Evelyne was a kind, beautiful person. My group supported the researchers at Amgen, and she always treated me and my staff with kindness and gratitude.  I'll never forget her warm smile and beautiful eyes. She seemed so proud of being French in a quiet way. I know she loved each of you more than anything in the world.

Fresh prawns and crab cakes aboard PASSAGE.

Barb and I have very fond memories of our times with Evelyne, Len and the kids.  One of our best memories is when the Fish family joined us on our trawler PASSAGE in Sitka, AK in 2007.  Evelyne was a real trooper,  as she could get queasy on the water.  So we split our time on the boat fishing with the "Rascals" and touring the town of Sitka.  Brian, Caitlin and Dani were 7 years old and quite energetic. They caught many rockfish and we had several wonderful meals on PASSAGE.  We cherish these memories and Evelyne will be greatly missed

Brian Fendly and Barb Mottice

I shared an office with Evelyne at Ligand Towne Centre in the 90's. I remember lots of laughter, exchanging looks when things got heated and loud in the boardroom next door, and sometimes splitting a Milky Way Dark in the afternoon.  I enjoyed hearing about her life in France – like working at the Eiffel Tower gift shop as a teenager - and later, hearing about the kids as they grew up.
Evelyne had a great sense of humor and seemingly endless energy and enthusiasm. She was a tireless scientist, friend, and mom.  
My condolences to Len, her children, and her extended family and friends. Thank you so much for sharing these photos.  It’s comforting to know you have lots of fun memories to share.


I knew Evelyne quite well because she reported to me at Amgen. I had a opening in my group  and wanted to find the best person available and she was the one. We worked closely together on multiple projects including one called “Epo analogs”.  We were trying to design a new and improved drug to treat anemia, low red blood cell counts. Her task was to design, make and prepare and test candidates using cutting edge recombinant DNA methods. We would discuss ideas, and the problem was her stubbornness. We disagreed occasionally but she would proceed anyway. This also turned out to be a strength because she was often right. In this particular case, not only was she right with some of her design ideas, the work ultimately resulted in a blockbuster drug that is approved world wide to treat anemia in cancer patients and in patients with kidney failure. The timing was perfect, because at the time Amgen was in a time of financial difficulty and desperately needed a new product to bring to market. That drug became available because of Evelyne’s diligence and hard work. Amgen and patients both would not be the same without her. Thank you, Evelyne!

My fondest memories of Evelyne all  have one thing in common.  They are all with the feeling of how sweet she was with everyone.  She made me and my family always feel so welcome in her home with her wonderful family.  She was an incredible mother.  

My deepest sympathies to my friend Len and the kids.  

Evelyne and Len employed me for a photography project and baby-sitting when I was a student at UCSD. After nearly 4 years of Sundays with Evelyne, Len, and the triplets, my "employers" started to feel more like family. I have only fond memories of Evelyne -- particularly her calm and graceful demeanor while parenting three little 7 year-olds and their little dogs! A wonderful woman, a wonderful family. She will be remembered. 

I shared a bench with Evelyne at Ligand and I'm glad I did: she was so fun to share space with, almost always in a good mood, laughing at the occasional set-backs and meeting successes with happiness as well. I remember the day she told me she was pregnant with triplets. I couldn't help it, I just  started laughing, and it says a lot for her character that we laughed together for a good five minutes, laughed until we cried. We talked often about her kids and the challenges of being a mom with triplets, and she was so proud of all of her children and had such a deep love for them all, it was so nice to hear her talk of them, and know of her friendship with them. So positive :-) I am so sorry to hear of her passing, and my condolences go out to all her family. It is at least some comfort to know that she led a very full life. It was very interesting to read about her immigration to the States and her tenacity at fulfilling her goals. I very much enjoyed seeing the photos of her as a youngster and a young woman as well, and I am glad to have known her.

Thank you to her family for sharing so many wonderful photos of Evelyne’s life.  It is so clear her life was filled with love and laughter.  
I shared an office with Evelyne for several years at Ligand when her children were toddlers until they were in their early school years.  She was such a proud and delightfully happy mother.  Even though she was exhausted sometimes, as anyone with triplets would be, she was always in a good mood and smiling.  She amazed me at times with how much energy she had and how positive she was every day.  She had many career accomplishments but was a humble down to earth person.  There were many times that I discussed science with her and she was always happy to help and advise me.  
It was easy to be around her and I enjoyed and appreciated her sense of humor and company.  She touched my life; she comes up in some of my life stories when I tell them and the memories always make me smile.  I will remember her as a kind, generous, delightful person full of life and laughter.  Peace and Love to her family and friends. 


A Personal Note to Brian, Caitlin, and Dani

You kids didn’t really know your Mom while she was at Ligand.  However, everyone at Ligand knew about you!  I, however, did know her and had the pleasure of working closely with her for most of her time at Ligand.  Before your birth, Evelyne worked long hours and successfully contributed to multiple projects.  More important, she was kind and helpful, and always willing to listen to other people’s problems, issues or challenges and do her best to help.  Once the three of you were born, things didn’t change at any basic level, but both your mom and dad were pretty frazzled, juggling their work lives and the rigors of three babies waking up at different times during the course of the night, getting sick.  They enjoyed proudly showing your pictures and telling stories about how wonderful each of you were.  Having not kept in close touch with your parents since leaving Ligand, I’m saddened to hear that such a bright and vibrant woman passed away.  However, I’m very happy to have known her when I did as she added significantly to the quality of my days at work.

Jon Rosen


I knew Evelyne from my time working at Ligand. We worked in the same department, in the lab together, and next to each other in the tissue culture room. She was a very sweet woman who was quick to smile and laugh. I remember the day she shared the happy news that she was pregnant...with triplets. She was so excited. She loved her kids and was a great mom. I was so sad to hear of her passing. My deepest condolences to you Leonard and your beautiful children. The photo memorial was really lovely.

Such beautiful pictures!  I remember Evelyne reaching out to me, many years ago, to give me some needed perspective.  I remember her well and am glad that I knew her. 

OBITUARY

Evelyne Odette Delorme

March 23, 1948 – June 23, 2020

El Camino Memorial - Sorrento Valley & Memorial Park

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