Evelyn Elizabeth Connolly (Murphy) was born in Wichita, Kansas, daughter of Patrick and Gertrude Connolly. Ev was one of seven children: Daryl, Emmett, Patrick Joseph, Gerry, Marian and Terry. Ev was a spunky girl, a passionate and valiant young woman, and loving life-long companion to her late husband, Richard Murphy. She was a marvelous and often entertaining mother to her four sons: Kim, Terry, Dan and Jay. Evelyn spent significant years in South Dakota, Colorado, Arizona, and Seattle. During the last 12 years of her existence, she enjoyed the constant company of her son, Jay, and his wife, her bosom buddy, Margaret Kelly. A remarkable woman, Ev lived through the Great Depression, a time when her family farm was repossessed by the bank. She worked and tended to Kim and Terry while Richard was off to England during World War II. She spent a good number of years in retirement with Richard, including a trip to Ireland, the land of her ancestors. There is so much to say about this Connolly girl, a truly complex person. Let us note a handful of things: Ev’s native intelligence, finely ironic wit, her steadfastness as a friend and affectionate dedication as mother and wife. Not to be overlooked was her remarkable prowess at Bridge, her uncanny ability to solve New York Times crossword puzzles, the flavor of her classic pot roast and the unmatchable cleanliness with which she kept her house. Ev is survived by her sister Marian, her brother Terry, her four sons, two grandsons, Selim and Rory, daughters-in-law Margaret and Cindy, sisters-in-law Bonnie, Millicent, and Elaine, and “adopted” daughter, Jackie Leone. A celebration of Evelyn’s life took place on April 26, 2008.

Published May 7, 2008 in the West Seattle Herald.