Title | Death Announcement: Willis, Evelyn Frances (Morrow) | |
Publisher | The Virginian-Pilot; Norfolk, Virginia; 9 December 2005 | |
Repository | GenealogyBank | |
_TYPE | Notice of Death | |
Source ID | S2359 | |
Example | Death Announcement: Willis, Evelyn Frances (Morrow), (The Virginian-Pilot; Norfolk, Virginia; 9 December 2005) | |
Text | PORTSMOUTH - Evelyn F. Willis, 92, homemaker and Coast Guard wife, died of complications brought on by pneumonia and congestive heart failure Nov. 4, 2005, at INOVA Alexandria Hospital. Born to James and Sophia Morrow in North Dakota, she was raised there and in the Chehalis and Onalaska communities in Washington state. Her mother, a first generation American, died when she was 13. After graduation from high school she studied to become a nurse; her nursing career was cut short when her father took ill and returned home to nurse him during his final months. After his death, she took a solo trip to Alaska. Her memories of that trip were something she cherished throughout her life. She earned Seaman's Papers in 1941, allowing her to work on the Puget Sound ferries as part of the war effort. She met her future husband, Thurston Willis, United States Coast Guard, while doing volunteer home defense watches at a shore station on the Puget Sound. They married in 1943. Frequent moves to different locations on both coasts followed for many years, before settling in Portsmouth in 1961. Her husband retired there from military service in 1965. She was a charter member of St. Andrews Lutheran Church in Portsmouth. She enjoyed nature, discussing politics and participating in sewing and quilting groups. She was fond of poetry and particularly enjoyed quoting "The Lady of the Lake" by Sir Walter Scott. Following the death of her husband in 1991, she continued to assert her independence until declining health lead her to enter into assisted living at The Fairfax at Fort Belvoir, Va., in 1995. She maintained an interest in current events until her death. She is survived by William M. Willis of Oakridge, Tenn., Robert D.M. Willis of Alexandria and Sharon D. Willis of Portsmouth. She is also survived by one grandson, William M. Willis Jr. and two great-grandchildren, Jasmine and Sage. Friends may call at Demaine Funeral Home, 520 S. Washington St., Alexandria on Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. A funeral will be held Tuesday at Fort Myer Old Post Chapel at 1 p.m. Interment will follow at Arlington National Cemetery. | |
Linked to (1) | Evelyn Frances Morrow |