Evelyn J McCarren

Evelyn McCarren Obituary

Known as Saint Evelyn long before it became official, Evelyn Craig McCarren was 92 when she was formally promoted on March 31, 2020 after a very brief illness. She loved the Green Bay Packers, crunchy Cheetos, Facebook, clean snow, and slot machines. Mom was famous for her potato salad, lime Jello, English muffin pizza and pineapple upsidedown cake. She was a late-in-life fashion icon, gardener and home decorator. She was self-taught in high finance and budgeting, and her bill-paying procedures involved a secret envelope and magic incantations. Mom had an impatient streak and "whenever you get a chance" was actually secret code for right now. She mentioned on more than one occasion that she didn't like her mispronunciations corrected, a fact that put her at occasional odds with her know-it-all kids. She had a wonderful sense of humor and a forgiving heart, attributes that surely helped with the big work of raising 6 kids with her late husband of 54 years, Larry.

Mom had a high tolerance for the chaos that shadows a large family, and she was the only mother in the neighborhood to allow a pet rabbit in the living room and a duck in the bathtub. She worked for 25 years as the police dispatcher, a career that was perfect for her endless curiosity about human foibles. Mom had a deep sense of religion and was a lifelong churchgoer, but she also thought a few extra nudges in God's direction couldn't hurt. She sometimes bartered and had a long list of Novena causes; her relationship with God was up close and personal.

Mom's greatest joy was family, and she is survived and deeply missed by her children Lynne (Bob) Hostetter, Kathy (Jim) Capone, Larry (Becky) McCarren, Barbara Goodrich, Eileen (Scott) Levy and Paul (Sue) McCarren; grandchildren Rachel, Michael, Sam, Lucy, Meghann, Marie, Amy, Allison, Elizabeth, Andrew, Erin, Elise and Julia, each of whom was her favorite; great grandchildren Ginger, Zeke, Jolee, Nori, Evie, Finn, Declan, Thayer, Daxton, Ethan, Oliver, Owen, Charlie and Wren, each of whom was the cutest, and almost everybody who crossed her path. She's predeceased and greeted by her loving husband Larry, favorite sister Eileen, dear friend Dorothy, and extended Reuter, Ulbrich, Baldwin and Cull families. A memorial Mass and celebration of her extraordinary life will be held at a later date.

For updated information or to express your condolences, please visit www.lain-sullivan.com. Arrangements entrusted to Lain-Sullivan Funeral Home 50 Westwood Drive, Park Forest, IL or call 708-747-3700.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by SouthtownStar on Apr. 5, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Evelyn McCarren

11 Entries

John and Susan Reuter

March 30, 2023

We miss talking to her on a regular basis. She kept us informed on your wonderful family. We loved her and think of her often.

Family

August 7, 2021

Beautiful tribute today

Rick Ulbrich

December 23, 2020

At Christmas time, thinking about Evelyn and her family enduring the first holiday season without her. I thought this little story she told me, might cheer them up. At the time, Evelyn´s mother Marie Craig, was probably around 95 years old, and Evelyn maybe 70 years old. They were both headed up the stairwell together at Grandma Craig´s apartment. Neither navigated stairs real well at such time, so they decided to help `each other´ arm and arm up the stairs. Sure enough, halfway up, they took a tumble at the midway landing. Neither badly injured, but while on the ground together, pre-cell phone days, they tried to think through their next move. First they decided on remain sitting, tell stories, catch their breath, regain strength, take their time. Then a series of getting up together attempts, that were nearing success, that came undone last moment, with fits of uncontrollable laughter - back on the ground. When one could stop laughing, the other could not. And vice versa - a cycle. They made it out ok, and later said they both couldn´t recall another time laughing so much in one day. Along with her husband, I am picturing Evelyn sharing her first Christmas together with her father Paul, her mother Marie, and her sister Eileen, in roughly 75 years.

Much love,
Rick and Sheila Ulbrich (and kids)

Fran (Schweikart) Mueller

September 5, 2020

My sincere condolences to the entire McCarren family. I worked with Evelyn 40 years ago at the PFPD. She was THE nicest person I have ever known. She was kind and loving to both friends and strangers alike. I can recall so many examples of Evelyn’s kindness while working at the police department. When a child missed getting back on her chartered field trip bus after a bus rest stop, Evelyn personally drove hundreds of miles to return the child to her home. Evelyn always took time away from her family Thanksgiving celebration to bring plates of food to the prisoners. When a co-worker went on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Hawaii, Evelyn generously loaned much of her wardrobe to the woman. Evelyn also enjoyed sharing loving stories of her family. I recall when she stopped by the police department with her 4 year old granddaughter who was visiting from out of town. Evelyn laughingly let her granddaughter wear multiple dresses at once, one dress over another, just because the little girl wanted to wear them all that day. Yes, Evelyn was one of a kind. Her loving kindness left a lasting impression on many, including me. She will be missed.
Fran (Schweikart) Mueller

Susan J. Reuter

April 9, 2020

Dear Aunt Evelyn...my friend and my phone buddy. You will never know how much I am going to miss you. In an hour and a half we could solve most of the world's problems and decide who was pixelated and who was not. You and I were not!
I will always appreciate how you remembered my Joey's birth and death dates every year. He was gone too soon at age 13, but you gave me comfort every year and I loved you for it.

I am glad now that you have joined the other two musketeers - my mom, Eileen (Ulbrich) and your dear friend, Dorothy (Baldwin). What memories you will have to share!

You were a wonderful mother and so very proud of each of your children.

I will close now, remembering what a good friend remarked to me about you, "I know she meant the world to you". She was so right!

Love, Susan, John and Family

Jim Craig

April 5, 2020

Sorry to hear about the death of another Craig cousin. I met Evelyn and her sister Eileen years ago at a Craig family reunion. I enjoyed reading the obituary her family lovingly assembled for her. She is a true Craig as evidenced by her deep faith and love for her family. My God bless all of you during this difficult time.

April 5, 2020

Evelyn was a dispatcher during my time with the Matteson Police Department. She cared for all of us who relied on her while she served as a dispatcher for the PF Police Department. I'm just one of those who was grateful for her caring ways. The McCarren family has a lot to be proud of in this time of sorrow.

Tom Paolella

Monica

April 3, 2020

Louis and I offer our condolences on the passing of Evelyn, your dear mom. I look forward to meeting her in heaven if I get the chance. I already have Mary Malloy HALLORAN looking for her to greet her and ask her for her recipes! Lots of love, Monica and Louis, Oak Park

Rick Ulbrich

April 3, 2020

McCarren family,

I am so sorry for the loss of your mom/grandma, and condolences to so many, family and otherwise mourning the loss of their favorite person.' We wish we could all be with you, in person right now, but know that some normalcy will return, and a fun celebration of life will be possible. Special gratitude to Lynne and Bob for doing so much, in making it possible for this special lady to enjoy residing in her home to the end. She was so great.

Much love,
Rick Ulbrich (the young one) and family

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