Sally Evans Obituary

A woman like Sally cannot die. She is with us still, as real in memory as she was in flesh-both loving and beloved forever. (How Green Was My Valley)



A formal obituary seems far too stuffy for such a spunky lady. We want you to know what we loved most about Sally.



Sally's dad had two PhDs and was an engineering professor. He always used to say that she was the smartest person he ever met. Just one example of that was when she scored the highest on the Arizona State Nursing Exam. Not just for that year, but in its history. Sally was an OB/GYN Nurse Practitioner, focusing her passion for the health and well-being of women and infants.



She was the best at everything she took on, except staying healthy. When her Lupus finally made it impossible for her to work anymore, she and Pal (the love of her life for 42 years), managed to fashion a happy, fulfilling life for her at home.



Long before Facebook or MySpace were even flickers of ideas, she taught herself HTML and created a webpage with family pictures that included her witty captions. Someone from Microsoft came across it, hunted her down and offered her a job.



She was a great cook and especially loved cooking for and with her family. She could often be found mixing it up in the kitchen with her beloved daughter, Ann "Rabbit". They were quite the team. The fun she had making all varieties of cakes! Nana's (as known by her five grandchildren) birthday cakes were elaborate, epic and unrivaled.



She loved to read, and was a brilliant seamstress, quilter and knitter. She crocheted, could paint as though she was professionally trained and was truly an artist in every way. If you're ever standing in her kitchen, look up and you'll see Kilroy peeking over the red border. Just one example of her fabulous sense of humor and zest for life. Another example was her signature on all communication to her stepchildren, Bryn and Rhian, signed WSM for Wicked Stepmother. She was always on board for something crazy and fun. In fact, she graduated from high school barefoot.



Oh, the animals! She was a mother and nurturing caretaker at heart, which led her to acquire all kinds of different creatures over the years- some in larger quantities than others.



She spent her life as a mentor, friend, wife and mother. She was a living example of the best in people. She was an inspiration to us all, in one way or another.



Sally and Pal shared a pure love, filled with respect, laughter, hand holding and travel adventures in their motor home. While her health struggles persisted across decades, she got to spend 42 years with her soul mate. A beautiful partnership.



Sally is preceded in death by her mother Betty Gray Pickren Evans, father Dr. Walter Haskell Evans, brother David Evans and more animals than we can name. She is survived by her husband Dr. Palmer Evans, brother John Philip Evans, daughter Ann Evans, stepchildren Bryn Evans (Michelle Evans), Rhian Evans Allvin (Paul Allvin), grandchildren Meghan Evans (Noah Jensen), Jordyn Evans, Austin Allvin, Eli Allvin and Isabel Allvin, nephew (Matthew Evans), dog Luka and cockatiel Cleo.



Sally willed her body to the College of Medicine at the University of Arizona. She requested rather than services, everyone enjoy an authentic Mexican dinner!



Donations can be sent in Sally's memory to:Tucson Medical Center Hospice, c/o Tucson Medical Center Foundation, 5301 E Grant Rd, Tucson, AZ 85712