Evelyn Ryan Bucci

She was born August 14, 1927 to William and Hazel (Mirus) Ryan. She was a lifelong resident of Springfield.

Evelyn graduated high school from Ursuline Academy, and very proudly went on to graduate from St. John’s College of Nursing in 1948 as a registered nurse. She worked at St. John’s Hospital until she left to raise a family. She was later employed by PortaMedic Para-Medical Services for a time in the late 1970s and early 1980s. She maintained her nursing license into her sixties.

Evelyn married Ralph G. Bucci at Blessed Sacrament Church in Springfield on July 2, 1949 and was a member of Springfield’s Church of the Little Flower for most of her adult life.

In the mid-1970s, she realized how much she loved fishing and became a constant fixture on the shores of Lake Springfield and Sangchris Lake. She was also well-known at Kentucky Lake and traveled into Canada to fish on several occasions, as well.

In 1977, Evelyn joined a gym, working out with weight machines and aerobic exercise classes. The latter of these endeavors led her to join two Rockettes-styled dance troupes which performed innumerable shows at the Illinois State Fair, assorted festivals, and nursing homes throughout the area. She continued dancing into the early 2000s.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of nearly 65 years, Ralph Bucci; brother, Bernard Ryan; brother, William Ryan; sister, Virginia Halloran; and grandfather, Alphonsus Elmo Mirus, who helped Evelyn’s mother raise her and her 4 siblings following their father’s early and untimely death.

Surviving Evelyn are her sister, Madonna Swoik Shaughnessy; daughter, Lynda (John) Snodsmith; son, William (Janice Olsen) Bucci; daughter, Jane (Mark Suszko) Bucci; son, Timothy Bucci; granddaughter, Shannon Bucci; granddaughter, Leanne Bucci; grandson, William (Brooke) Ramirez; grandson, William (Kelly) Bucci; grandson, Ryan Suszko; grandson, Aron Suszko; and granddaughter, Regina Suszko; four great-granddaughters; one great-great-granddaughter; and several nieces and nephews.

Cremation was accorded by Butler Cremation Tribute Center.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph’s Home, 3306 S. 6th St., Springfield, IL 62703, or the Mini O’Beirne Crisis Nursery, 1011 N. 7th St., Springfield, IL 62702.

There are no ceremonies planned at this time.

The family is being served by Butler Funeral Home-Springfield, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield, IL.