Evelyn was born on September 11, 1924 in the living room of her family farmhouse in West Bath, the very same room that she passed. She was the daughter of the late Herbert and Laura (Durant) White and wife of the late Albert H. Desmond. She grew up in West Bath and began her education attending Lowell School, a one-room schoolhouse. Evelyn graduated from Morse High School in 1943 as valedictorian, and from University of Maine in 1947 majoring in Psychology and a member of Chi Omega sorority.
After college, Evelyn returned to Bath and accepted a position in the personnel department at Hyde Windlass Company (HWC). When Bath Iron Works (BIW) acquired HWC, Evelyn was assigned to the BIW personnel department. Evelyn worked her way up the career ladder, leading special projects, and ultimately serving as Director of Personnel until she retired in 1990. Retirement allowed her to drive to Rhode Island to spend time with her grandchildren, to play bridge and travel to Barbados with dear friends, volunteer at the cafeteria of Mid Coast Hospital, exercise at Running Start, and enjoy gardening.
In addition to her successful working career, Evelyn also was a long-serving, active member of her community. Evelyn served 35 years on the West Bath School Board; served 40 years as a director of the Five County Credit Union; was a member and past president of the United Way; was an active leader in the Bath Business and Professional Woman (BPW) organization; was a board member and past president of Community Health and Nursing Services (CHANS); was an active alumnus of the Bath High School Alumni Association; served on the Steering Committee of Mid Coast UMaine Alumni Association, and served on the Sagadahoc County Republican Committee. Evelyn was also a Mid Coast Hospital Corporator, Patten Free Library Corporator, a member of the West Bath Historical Society, and member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority.
Evelyn is survived by her son Thomas
A. Desmond of Middletown, RI, grandsons Douglas (fiancée Colleen), Daniel (fiancée Cori), and Samuel; daughter Susan D. Marshall (Paul), North Kingstown RI, granddaughter Elizabeth; and step-son Peter L. White (Marilyn), Woolwich, ME, grandchildren Stephen (Buffy), Barbara Harry (Tim) and William (Christina); a sister Doris H. Smith, Massapequa Park, NY and sister-in-law Evelyn M. Desmond, Bath, ME. Evelyn had many loving nieces, nephews, and great-grandchildren, most recent addition is her great grandson Benjamin Douglas Desmond, as well as many close and dear friends. Evelyn was predeceased by her brothers Leon J., Charles H., and Joseph C. White, and sisters Helen White, Vivian McAskill, and Marie Lary.
Visiting hours will be from 3 to 7pm, Friday, January 5, at Desmond Funeral Home, 638 High Street, Bath. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 am, Saturday, January 6 at St. Mary’s Church, 144 Lincoln Street, Bath. Interment will be in the spring at Calvary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Evelyn’s name to CHANS Home Health and Hospice, 60 Baribeau Drive, Brunswick, ME 04011 (Please note ‘contribution’ on the check) or contribute by credit card through Mid Coast Hospital’s secure website (www.midcoasthealth.com).
To share your thoughts and condolences with the family, please visit, www.desmondfuneralhomes.com.
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