Evva A. Swan, nee Sorensen, age 93, recently of King City, Oregon, formerly of Homewood, Illinois, passed away on April 1, 2021 at Washington Gardens Memory Care in Tigard, Oregon, her daughters at her side. She was born on July 2, 1927 in Chicago, Illinois, and adored by the late Andrew and Johanna Sorensen. She grew up in Chicago, in the Marquette Park neighborhood. One of her most awe-inspiring memories was seeing the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair with her father. Evva graduated from Chicago Christian High School where she was a member of Amigos. After attending Fox Secretarial College, she gained employment at Drovers National Bank. She then went to Wilson Jr. College for two years going on to work at Argonne National Labs when they were just starting out. At that time Argonne was located at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago and Evva worked in the Personnel Department, hiring employees for the future Lemont location of Argonne. Still not satisfied, she enrolled in Beloit College where she joined the Delta Gamma sorority and had some of the happiest days of her life. Sadly, Evva’s mother became sick and she left before obtaining a degree, in order to help care for her mother. Evva rejoined Argonne National Labs as an executive secretary for the group that helped design the reactor for the world’s first nuclear-powered submarine, the U.S.S. Nautilus. We were told that she was one of only a few people Admiral Rickover (“Father of the Nuclear Navy”) liked working with. She retired to raise her children, was an advocate with La Leche League, volunteered for her children’s scouting activities and re-entered the workforce at Suburban Heights Medical Center in Chicago Heights, Illinois. She retired and moved to Portland, OR in 1997.
In addition to spending time with her family and friends, Evva loved to read, view the impressionists at The Art Institute of Chicago, and listen to classical music. While certainly enjoying live concerts by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Portland Symphony Orchestra, WFMT in Chicago and KQAC in Portland were mainstays in Evva’s homes. Another highlight for Evva was seeing Maria Callas in Madame Butterfly at The Lyric Theatre of Chicago’s opening season in 1954. Evva enjoyed the book clubs that she belonged to as well as recommending books to her children and loved ones. Evva also enjoyed attending plays and musicals, solving crossword puzzles and watching Jeopardy, until Alzheimer’s robbed her of the ability to enjoy any of her loves. She was a member of the Multnomah Presbyterian Church, where music first drew her in.
In addition to her parents, Evva was preceded in death by her grandson, Cameron A. Metz, of Portland, Oregon and her former husband David S. Swan, Jr. of Clearwater, Florida. Evva is survived by, her children, David A. Swan, Sr. (Laurie) of Palos Hills, Illinois, Steven C. Swan (Lori) of Evergreen Park, Illinois, Janet B. Lowrey (Daniel) of Hubbard, Oregon, and Julia A. Baginskis (Steven) of Elmhurst, Illinois, her sister, Margaret Perigo, (the late Dennis), of Crown Point, Indiana, her grandchildren David A. Swan, Jr. (Kari) of Hammond, Indiana, Linda Swan of Hammond, Indiana, Sheri Swan of Sauk Village, Illinois, Jordan Swan Metz of Seattle, Washington, Johanna C. Baginskis of Elmhurst, Illinois, Christopher Fraher of Hubbard, Oregon, as well as her great-grandchildren, Michael, Angelica, Faustino, Anthony, Samantha, Angelina, Alex, Christina, Jose, David, Adriel, Maria, Lily, Antonio, Izabella & Sebastian.
There is a Graveside Service to be held on Saturday, April 24, 2021 at 1:00 at Finley-Sunset Hills, 6801 SW Sunset Highway in Portland, Oregon, to be officiated by Heather Hellman of Multnomah Presbyterian Church. Evva will be buried next to her cherished grandson Cameron.
The family would like to thank the caring staff at Washington Gardens Memory Care and Seasons Hospice. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to KQAC www.allclassical.org, WFMT www.wfmt.com, your local classical radio station, your local public library, or the Alzheimer’s Association www.alz.org.
For more information, please contact Finley-Sunset Hills at (503) 292-6654.
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