Lucile Evans

Lucile Friese Evans, 94, of Berwyn, Illinois, passed peacefully at her home on August 6, 2023, surrounded by her son and daughter in-law, and the love and warmth of her family members, dear friends, and her faithful caregivers. Lucile was born in Chicago, the youngest of 4 children. She made Berwyn her home starting in 1952, when she met Arthur Dunham Evans, and then married him at her much-loved Berwyn Presbyterian Church. At her wedding she was described as a vision of loveliness, a sentiment that was still present in her final days. Together they raised two wonderful children, Ellen Lucile Evans and Steven Arthur Evans. She lived at her beloved Dunham Manor for over 70 years, making the now historical residence part of her legacy. She attended Morton High School, and then Carroll College for her Education Degree, and then Chicago State University for her Master of Education. She was employed as a PE teacher at the Geneva Public Schools, and then at the Berwyn and Cicero Grade Schools and Morton High School. Her love of music, church, community, and local politics was endless. She served on various boards and committees and supported many local organizations; her most adored being the Pav YMCA, Berwyn Public Library, and the Kiwanis Club. She coordinated various passion projects throughout her life in Berwyn, including, but not limited to, Project 88, The Moving Vietnam Wall, the WW 1 Memorial, and the Berwyn Historical Society. She loved hosting events at her home, such as concerts, many garden parties, and two weddings, most significantly being her grandson's in 2021. She was an avid tennis and golf player and loved gardening and reading. Most endearing was her knack for socializing; her memory was impeccable, and she never met a stranger. She continuously gave to her community, and her love for her neighbors and devotion to Berwyn was inspirational to all she encountered. Lucile was preceded in death by her husband Arthur Dunham Evans in 1973, her daughter Ellen Evans Arnold in 1999, her second husband Hubert "Bert" Tanis in 2000, her three siblings, and many other dear friends, relatives, and loved ones. She is survived by her son Steven Evans (Susan Ranker-Evans), son in-law James Arnold, grandchildren Kate Arnold, Alex Arnold (Alison Sunseri), and Kyle Evans; great- granddaughter Lucile Rae, and countless friends and neighbors. A visitation and service will be held from 10am-12pm on Friday August 11 at the Heritage Funeral Home in Berwyn, with a private burial to follow at Mount Auburn cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Berwyn Historical Society and the Pav YMCA. We will remember Lucile for her extraordinary resiliency through hardship and loss, her passion for her community, and the love she had for her family, who were the center of her world. In her final days, Lucile's wishes were to "always keep the music in your heart, and the flowers in the garden."

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