Obituary of Maureen Evans

Maureen Evans, a recently retired high school guidance counselor, registered nurse and devoted wife, mother and grandmother, passed away on June 30, 2010, surrounded by her loving family, at her Ransomville home, following a long illness. She was 59. Born and raised in Ransomville, she earned her bachelor's degree in nursing from St. Joseph's College in Maryland, and was a nurse in the Intensive Care Unit for several years in California before returning home and starting a family. Upon her return to Western New York in 1980, Maureen became active in the Wilson School District while her sons were young, co-creating the "Parents as Reading Partners" (PARP) program in April of 1990, which is still in use today. She received the PTA Lifetime Membership Award in 1995, and was the president of the W.H. Stevenson PTA from 1989-90. This was an especially meaningful award since her mother had created the PTA in Ransomville during her days as a school teacher decades earlier. She began serving as a nurse in 1993 at Wilson High School before beginning her career as a guidance counselor four years later. She retired this spring after 17 years. She was always quick to offer support and guidance to her students whenever needed, and was named a co-recipient of the yearbook dedication this year. She and her siblings have been awarding the O'Connor Family Memorial Scholarship to a graduating senior from Wilson since 1988. Maureen's faith was an inspiration to others and she counted her family among her most cherished blessings. Although she gave selflessly to her students, she devoted her life and love to her husband and two sons. Their accomplishments brought her incredible pride and happiness, and becoming a grandmother filled her with joy. Maureen is survived by her husband of 37 years, Dr. James Evans; two sons, Dr. Tom (Christina) Evans of Hopkinton, MA and Dan (Shelly) Evans of Wilson, NY; two granddaughters, Emily and Audrey; three siblings, William (Coyla) O'Connor, Tom (Wendy) O'Connor and John (Linda) O'Connor; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her parents, Holman and Mary (Walton) O'Connor; and sister, Mary Ann Mahar. A Memorial Service will be celebrated on Thursday, July 8th at 2 PM at Ransomville Free Methodist Church. Flowers are graciously declined. If desired, memorial offerings may be made to the Maureen O'Connor Evans Scholarship Fund, c/o Wilson High School, PO Box 648, 412 Lake Street, Wilson, NY 14172. Arrangements by Hardison Funeral Home, Ransomville.