Evelyn Boyd

Evelyn Boyd died May 17, 2012 at Expressions Memory Care Home after a long and wonderful life. She was 95 years old.

Evelyn was born on Aug. 6, 1916 in Collingdale, Penn. to Jennie and Curtis Roberts. She graduated from Collingdale High School and attended school to become a dental hygienist.

Before pursuing a career, she married the love of her life, Bill Boyd, in 1936. They eloped from Pennsylvania to New York to be married. They were married for 55 years when he passed away in 1990. She spent her early married life in Pennsylvania, and when Bill was transferred to Baltimore for his job, they moved with their first child, Sandra, who was only weeks old.

Bill was drafted into World War II and Evelyn and Sandra returned to Pennsylvania. When the war was over, Bill was transferred yet again by his job to Staten Island, N.Y., where the family spent the next 45 years, and their daughter, Kristine, was born.

Evelyn was known for her talent as an artist. She worked in almost every medium. When she lived in New York, she was a member of South Shore Artists, a group who met to paint and to exhibit their art at different shows around the city. She served as every officer for the group including president, vice president and historian.

She was well known for her animal portraits. She had a thriving business being commissioned to do portraits of people’s pets. After Bill’s passing, Evelyn decided to be adventuresome and move to Montana with her daughter, Kris and Kris’ husband Tom. They all settled in Whitefish almost 19 years ago.

Evelyn suffered a little culture shock initially, but then decided that she wanted to make friends, and she certainly did. She decided that the best way to do that was to volunteer. Her volunteer career spanned almost 15 years. She volunteered at North Valley Hospital in the gift shop and knitted all the baby hats for the newborns. She was a member of the Auxiliary and was active in the Trash and Treasure Sales and other fundraising efforts.

She soon found that the senior centers had a need for an art teacher and started teaching weekly classes in both the North Valley Senior Center in Columbia Falls and the Golden Agers in Whitefish. She loved art and it gave her great pleasure to help others enjoy her love. She also exhibited her art work at the Northwest Montana Fair and was never more proud when she was awarded the Best In Show for a portrait of her aged dog, Jessie. She also served on the board of directors of both senior centers.

She took classes with the Senior Fridays at Flathead Valley Community College and was an avid bridge player, playing with different card clubs. Her crowning achievement was when she was presented with an award from President George W. Bush for 5,000 hours of volunteer work.

She was predeceased by her parents, Jennie I. Roberts and William Curtis Roberts; and her beloved husband, William Boyd. Evelyn is survived by her daughters, Sandra O’Connor, of Edison, N.J., and Kristine and Thomas Mann of Whitefish; three grandchildren, Kathleen Manning of Edison, N.J., Lynn O’Connor of North Brunswick, N.J., and Dr. Daniel O’Connor who is stationed in Panama as a Diplomat for the Department of State. She has two great-grandchildren, US.M.C. L/Cpl. Jamie Manning, Jr., stationed in New Bern, N.C., and Devin O’Connor of Panama.

A service celebrating her life is planned at Expressions Memory Care Home at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial donation to the Whitefish Golden Agers or the charity of your choice.