Mary Helen Evans

Mary Evans, 95, devoted wife, loving mother, and unrivaled friend to many, passed away peacefully Wednesday, October 23, 2024, after a long and blessed life of family, friends, and faith. 

Mary was born August 25, 1929, to John and Helen (Wisniewski) Timbers in South St. Paul, Minnesota. Mary studied at the College of St. Catherine where she received a degree in education to become a teacher. Always a beauty, she was a “Miss Petti Pin-Up” girl during World War II and was elected Winter Carnival Queen in college. She met the love of her life, Bob Evans, a Navy man and footballer, at a mixer between the all-girls choir of St. Kate’s and the all-boys choir of St. Thomas. They were wed in the summer of 1953 and enjoyed 55 years of blissful marriage together. In the first five years of marriage, Bob’s career in the grain industry led the couple to move five times with their young family, from Kansas City to San Francisco to Utah. In 1958, they settled down in Ogden, Utah, where they raised their seven children and created their forever home. As the family business, Evans Grain, became established and flourished, so too did the Evans family under Mary’s love and devoted care. In their later years, Bob and Mary also rooted in the Boulders community of Carefree, Arizona where they enjoyed a vibrant life with close friends. 

Mary was a devoted Catholic her whole life. She and Bob helped establish Holy Family Parish in South Ogden and were active parishioners. Bob and Mary were also consistent supporters of the St. Joseph Catholic Schools, where all seven of their children attended, and they helped found the St. Joseph’s Booster Club to raise funds for the athletic program. Through volunteering for numerous festive Booster events, Mary acquired many close and cherished friends. She shared her deep love for Notre Dame football with many, where her Catholicism and enthusiasm for sports came together. Bob and Mary’s faith inspired their philanthropic support of many causes — funding schools, health programs and churches. They were instrumental in the restoration of Cathedral of the Madeleine, the creation of the new building for Holy Family Catholic Church, and the founding of the Notre Dame Clinic at Hôpital Sacré Coeur in Haiti. 

Mary loved her music, especially jazz standards and old crooner’s of the ‘40s. Bob and Mary sang together all their lives, switching harmonies along the way. Mary lived in a time of “greats,” having seen Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., and Pavarotti live in concert in their heyday. She was a loyal patron of the Sun Valley Jazz Festival, attending for over 30 years. She kept a list of her favorite requests in her wallet and loved nothing more than sitting by the piano and singing along. She started the Ogden Opera Guild with a group of friends and in her later years, she became a known fan of the contemporary Italian teenage trio, Il Volo. Mary’s other hobbies included playing bridge and tennis, socializing with her Questers antiquing club, and being a master crossword puzzler.

Forever a class act and the life of the party, Mary was a woman with a generous heart, an infectious laugh, and a knack for lighting up a room and making everyone’s day sparkle. Her charm, quick wit, and sunny demeanor brought her many friends and admirers. She took pride and delight in being with her big, bright, and spirited family — laughing, singing, telling stories and enjoying a glass of wine at her beautiful home 

Mary is survived by her six daughters, Meg (Steve) Chambers, Joan Ahlf, Susan Evans, Patty (Todd) Bradley, Nancy Evans (Joe Hazel), and Barbara (Jeff) Wogoman; her daughter-in-law, Kelli Evans; her 19 grandchildren, Skip, John, Elise, Lael, Sarah, Bridget, Becca, Rachael, Clay, Michelle, Christina, Leo, David, Steffanie, Lauren, Jacquelyn, Matthew, Evalyn and Axel; her soon-to-be 10 great-grandchildren; and her sisters, Barbara Mers and Jane Schmidt. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert; her son, John; granddaughter, Rose; her parents, John and Helen Timbers; and her sisters, Polly and Margaret. She will always be loved and missed. 

Special thanks to all the nurses and staff of Enhabit Hospice Care for their compassionate services, and our deepest love and gratitude to Vilma Pongchat for her dedicated and loving care of Mary. 

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at 10 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church, 1100 East 5550 South, Ogden. Friends may visit with family on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. with recitation of the Holy Rosary at 7 p.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church Social Center, 1100 East 5550 South. Interment, Lindquist’s Memorial Gardens of the Wasatch, 1718 Combe Rd. A reception will be held at the Ogden Golf and Country Club following the services, 4190 South Washington Blvd.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Joseph Catholic Schools, 2980 Quincy Avenue, Ogden, UT 84403.