Our beloved “Ma,” grandmother, and great grandmother, Evelyn Lillian Rojas passed away peacefully on June 12, 2007, in the company of her loving family at Whidbey General Hospital. She is preceded in death by her husband of 37 years Manuel S. Rojas; her parents William and Lillian Mae Goldberg; brother William Goldberg, Jr.; nephew Bill Goldberg; and infant son Ricardo Manuel Rojas.

Evelyn was born on Oct. 15, 1922, in Newark, N.J. While growing up in New Jersey her favorite activities were swimming at the Jersey shore, drawing, and collecting autographs of movie stars. After finishing school she worked for the Edison Factory in West Orange, N.J. In her late 20’s her family moved from the east coast to sunny California, where she met her husband Manuel. They married while he was serving in the U.S. Navy and made their first home in San Diego. After three children, they were transferred to Whidbey Island, had their fourth child and found the wonderful community of Coupeville to raise a family.

Evelyn was a resident of Coupeville for over 40 years. Raising a family in Coupeville was ideal. Living just blocks from the beach, it was a natural playground for us kids to enjoy during those summer months. Ma would always come down to stick her toe in the water to see if it was warm enough to swim. When we weren’t outside climbing our pear tree or making a fort in the woods we would play dominoes and board games around the kitchen table while waiting for Ma to cook up a great big pot of her delicious, sit on the stove all day long spaghetti! As long as we can remember, Ma was an avid walker and animal lover. She would often be seen walking her dog “Sparky” with her cat “Smokie” trailing not far behind; it was a sight many Coupeville residents relished. Evelyn will be remembered by family and friends as a gentle soul and someone who shared a smile easily. She never missed a chance to spend time with family and friends.

The simple pleasures in life gave her joy; she would often play the piano “by ear”, sing to her favorite songs, and dance with anyone who was available! She loved the sunshine and the beach, and often she would take her grandchildren for walks at the beach or a swim at the pool. Her constant loving presence in our lives has truly been a blessing.

She loved to take little trips with family and grandchildren, some as close as Ebey’s Landing, as far as Alaska and Hawaii, and a special trip with a group of friends to Vancouver, B.C., where she saw Pope John Paul II.

Evelyn was a parishioner of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and a member of the Altar Society. She sang in the choir for years. She was a member of the close knit Renew group and kept those friendships for over 20 years. After we were grown Ma chose to share her faith with children in the CCD program. Although not able to participate in activities for a number of years, Evelyn’s heart was always there.

As a faithful friend, mother and grandmother she will forever be remembered in our hearts and in stories of our life with her.

Evelyn will be greatly missed by her four children, Carlotta, Manny (Janet), Vivian (John) and Margaret (Daja); her eight grandchildren, Celena, Joseph, Jeremiah, Lindsey, Donald, Chris, Daewon, Emily and Evan; and her one great-grandchild, Ellie.

We wish to express our thanks to the Oak Harbor Adult Family Home for the loving care and friendship they provided our mother. Laughter and good times were always a part of our Mother’s Day there. We would also like to thank the CCU nursing staff at Whidbey General Hospital for their compassionate care during our difficult hours.

A Rosary will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, June 22 and a Memorial Mass will take place Saturday, June 23, at 11 a.m. Both are at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Coupeville with a reception following the Memorial Mass.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be given to the Whidbey Animal Improvement Foundation, P.O. Box 1108 Coupeville, WA. and/or Catholic Community Services Northwest, 1918 Everett Ave. Everett, WA 98201-3607.