Catherine J. Evans

1940 - 2014

Catherine, Cathy, Miss Powell or Mrs. Evans, as many knew her, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2014. Catherine was born in Michigan on August 11 (the year rarely revealed), to Frances and Clay Powell in between her older sister, Sheila, and her younger sister, Pat. She grew up in Kalamazoo, Mich., quickly learning that her red hair and Irish skin would not tolerate hot climates. After graduating from college, she taught 3rd grade in Michigan, Massachusetts, California and eventually Alaska, where a physical education teacher, Glynn D. Evans Jr., caught her eye. Following the 1964 earthquake, she transferred with the Department of Defense to teach in Japan and Germany. Eight years later, she returned to Alaska to marry Glynn, certainly not with any intention of becoming an outdoor enthusiast. She often reflected that she questioned what she possibly could have been thinking when she moved into a homesteader's cabin heated by wood with an outhouse for the days the plumbing froze. With the addition of Marie and then Dan, the homesteader's cabin became crowded. Glynn and Catherine embarked, with the help of friends, on a multi-year project to build a home behind the cabin. When Glynn passed away in 1985, Catherine returned to teaching as the 4th grade teacher at St. Elizabeth Anne Seaton School, an eight minute drive from home. She strongly believed in education, which was reflected in her dedication to teaching and her students. After 16 years, she retired to a slower pace: having coffee with the life-time friends she made at SEAS, tutoring here and there, volunteering and enjoying the home she and Glynn built. We are eternally grateful for the daily care and understanding provided by Brandy, Byron, Melinda, Melissa and Loni at Elaine's Place; Dr. Mary Catherine Schumacher and Providence Senior Care; Dr. Frank Ellenson; Father Dan Hebert; Sister Kathleen; the retired teachers from SEAS (Helen, Jan, Dianne, Pat and Debbie); Cathy's neighbors (Tenney and Kohler families) and to our friends and colleagues for their support. Please join us for a memorial mass on Nov. 14, 2014, at 5:30 p.m., by Father Dan at Saint Patrick's Parrish, followed by light refreshments to share memories. In lieu of and in light of her aversion to flowers, donations to the St. Elizabeth Anne Seaton Scholarship Fund (2901 Huffman Rd, Anchorage, AK 99516) for students in need financial assistance would bring a smile to Mrs. Evans.