Evelyn Aline Monaghan passed away on December 12, 2016 at her home in Cascadia Village in Sandy, Oregon with her daughter by her side.
Evelyn was born to Amanda Sivertson Green and Anton Green near Landa North Dakoda, on October 7, 1920 at home three miles from the Canadian border. Her childhood was spent on the farm and attending many church and community activities. She played the guitar and sang with her friend Helen at many of the events. She especially enjoyed the community dances which were attended by farmers and their families on Saturday nights.
The school Evelyn attended was a one room school with eight children attending grades 1-8. Her father took the horse and buggy with a small wood stove in the winter to take her and her brother Arnold to school.
After her schooling, Evelyn worked in Fargo, North Dakoda as a cook and housekeeper. Moving west Evelyn joined her uncle and family in Seattle and worked at Boeing as a “Rosie the Riveter” from 1940-1942. In 1942 Evelyn and her friend Amy took the train to California to live and work. They lived in an apartment in Long Beach and attended the dances. This is where she met (George) Dewey Monaghan who was in the Navy at port in Long Beach California. They were married in Vancouver, Washington on Valentine’s Day in 1947.
Evelyn and Dewey made their home in Portland raising their children Michael and Michele. Evelyn worked sewing part time for Janzen and then White Stag. She was active in PTA , 4H, and Cub scouts, Mother’s Singers and the Elkettes. She and Dewey loved to dance and never missed a chance to dance when the opportunity arose.
In 1964 Evelyn and Dewey bought Brightwood Supply Hardware with living quarters on the property. Evelyn worked in the store, led a 4H club, golfed, sewed and did water aerobics. Evelyn began tole painting and gave away many gifts she had tole painted and sewed. Family and friends always looked forward to gifts she made with love. She also was an avid gardener and was secretary of her garden club. Evelyn spent many precious times with their grandkids playing card games and laughing. She danced at family weddings even when she was 85.
Dewey died in 1992 and Evelyn moved into Clackamas, by the golf course and later to Sandy to be close to family.
Evelyn moved into Cascadia Village in May of 2007. She enjoyed the social interaction, bible study, the entertainment and especially the caregivers who cared for her needs. She was described by one caregiver as “fun & feisty”. She continued to enjoy reading, her plants and visits from family and friends. In Evelyn’s last year Hospice visited often and one volunteer played the guitar and sang Christian songs as Evelyn sang along.
Evelyn is survived by son Michael Monaghan and wife Mary and daughter Michele Riggs and husband Bill. She has 5 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She will be remembered by all as a loving, generous, fun, determined lady.
Contributions can be made in lieu of flow
ers to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Sandy Oregon or Providence Cancer Center.