Evelyn Mae Messuri

1925 - 2011

Evelyn Mae Messuri, 85, passed away on June 3, 2011, at her home in Boise surrounded by her large and loving family. Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 10, 2011, at Holy Apostles Church, 6300 N. Meridian Rd., Meridian. Evelyn was born Evelyn Mae Woodworth on Aug. 30, 1925, in Oregon City, Ore., the daughter of Edwin and Ethel Woodworth. From an early age, she was known to most as Honey Mae. Following his service in World War II, she married Anthony Messuri on Feb. 28, 1946, in Willamette, Ore. They came to Caldwell, Idaho in 1955, where they raised 10 children. Following her beloved Anthony's death in 2006, she moved to Spring Creek Assisted Living in Boise, Idaho. Evelyn loved her home at Spring Creek, where she was cared for by a wonderful staff and had many close friends. Although reluctant to leave her home of over 50 years behind, she flourished at Spring Creek. Evelyn was an accomplished painter, and painted many pictures for family, friends, and the staff at Spring Creek. She spent many hours at Spring Creek knitting with her good friend Wanda. Evelyn found her calling in life caring for emotionally and physically handicapped children as a foster parent. Evelyn and Tony were foster parents to more than 400 foster children. Most of these children had profound disabilities which required around the clock care. Evelyn loved these children as her own. Along with Tony, they were honored by the Catholic Extension Service with the Lumina Christi (Light of Christ) award for their more than 40 years of selfless service to these children. Evelyn and Tony were founding parents of the Mary-Lynn School in Caldwell, which became the model for the Special Education System in both Caldwell and in Idaho. In 1983, she was honored for her work by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Her citation read in part, "...She has personally done more for the region's handicapped population than any other person." Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents, her three older siblings, and her husband. She is survived by her children: Steven and Jo Messuri of California; Becky and Louie Berry of Oregon; Tom and Carole Messuri of Oregon; Mary Elizabeth Messuri of Nampa; Nancy Messuri-Robbins and Peter Robins of Eagle; Kathy and Dan Miller of Boise; Tony Messuri of Washington; Tim and Wendy Messuri of Boise; Molly Messuri of Kamiah; Ray Messuri of Caldwell; and many grand, great, and great-great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Evelyn Messuri's name to Cross International Catholic Outreach for infant care at www.crosscatholic.org. Donations may be mailed to; Cross International Catholic Outreach 370 West Camino Gardens Boulevard, PO Box 273908, Boca Raton, Florida 33427-3908.