Obituary for Evelyn M. Wolford Evelyn Maida Wolford of Tucson, Arizona, passed away peacefully on Wednesday afternoon, January 4, 2019, at the age of 101 years and 3 months, where she resided at Leisure Living Assisted Living. Evelyn was known for her ability to make friends and for her patience and goodness towards everyone she met or knew. She never spoke unkindly about any person and found goodness in all.
She was quick to laughter; enjoyed crossword puzzles, dancing, movies, travel, cooking, Riesling wine, stuffed green peppers, and entertaining family and friends; loved cats and dogs; and was fascinated with new developments in science and space travel. She will be remembered by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews and nieces, and family and friends, for how to live a good, kind, and loving life. Her mind remained keen up to her last days.
Evelyn was born on October 11, 1917 to Willard and Anna (Knispel) Burdick at their home in Newark, New Jersey. She had a younger sister, Dorothy “Dottie,” whom she dearly loved. Evelyn graduated from Irvington High School in 1936.
Following graduation, she worked in retail. In 1939, she married Edwin Brauchli. During World War II, she worked in the defense industry doing detailed work for bombsights.
Although left-handed, she performed her test so well (using right-handed tools with her right hand) that the company asked her to stay on as an employee after the war. Instead, she started a family, becoming the mother of Edwin W. Brauchli in 1941, and twins Robert C. Brauchli and William A. Brauchli in 1945. Evelyn returned to employment in 1952 in avionic manufacturing in Chester, N.J., until her retirement in 1982, after 30 years of service.
Evelyn was a member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Mendham, New Jersey, for many years. Evelyn’s marriage to Edwin Brauchli ended in 1967. She remarried in 1972 to Robert “Bob” Wolford.
They had many wonderful years together traveling, sightseeing, dancing, and socializing with their many friends in New Jersey. Evelyn and Bob fulfilled their lifelong goal of moving to Arizona in 1995, so that she could be close to her sons and grandchildren. Evelyn remained married to Bob until his untimely death in 1998.
Evelyn was preceded in death by her father, Willard, her mother, Anna, and her beloved sister, Dottie. Evelyn is survived by her three sons; Edwin, Robert (Jeannette), and William (Taruna Meyer), and seven grandchildren Edwin (Shannon) Brauchli Jr., Veronica Brauchli, Kirsten (Adrian) Korosec, Robert Selby (Natalie) Brauchli, Holly Brauchli (Jonah Dunham), Robin (David) Sirois and Andrea Varellie. Evelyn is also survived by her six great-grandchildren, Jordan (Alex) Jung, Charlotte Brauchli, Lucas Brauchli, Lanen Brauchli, Kyle Varellie and Eric Varellie; and her two great-great grandchildren Eleanor Jung and Jacob Jung.
The family expresses its deep appreciation for the devoted care provided Evelyn by the staff at Leisure Living Assisted Living and Emblem Hospice. They were wonderful to her. A Celebration of Evelyn’s life will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2019, beginning at 10:30 AM, in the Avalon Chapel at Adair Funeral Home, 8090 N. Northern Ave.
, Oro Valley, Arizona. A reception for family and friends will follow on-site after the Memorial Service in the Chapel. Evelyn loved animals, especially cats and dogs.
On Evelyn’s behalf, the family suggests that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made in her name to the Pima Animal Care Center or the Humane Society of Southern Arizona.
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