Evadnie A. Irving

Life's Story Mrs. Evadnie (Eva) Irving left this world on Tuesday, January 14, 2021. She was blessed with the comfort and company of her daughter, Miriam and caregiver, Jacqueline Payne, who provided love and comfort as she passed. Eva, born July 26, 1939 to Reginald and Laura Willkie, was raised in Brooklyn, NY. with her siblings, Reginald (deceased),Louise (deceased) ,Ruth (deceased), and Sandra. Eva attended Catholic School,Our Lady of Victory, which explains her gorgeous, left handed script. She married Robert Irving in 1960, and they initially resided in Brooklyn, where two of their sons were born; Robert Clinton,Jr. (deceased) and Clinton Jeffrey (deceased) . A job opportunity relocated the family to Salem, MA., where Ronald Donnell and Miriam Laureen were born. In Salem, Eva continued to be a dedicated homemaker and mother, and maintained the family home situated close to the beach, but daily laundry, cooking and cleaning sand out of the house didn't keep Eva from continuing her education at Salem State College where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Education. Eva missed her sisters. She and Robert always welcomed company, the more the better for as long as possible. The family of six with their dog, Tippy, often visited New York in old Betsy, their faithful station wagon . Eva had a passion for pets and simultaneously maintained a dog,a cat, a hamster, turtles, and fish. She had a huge heart. The family relocated to Richmond, VA., where Eva taught fourth grade at Laburnum Elementary School. A dedicated and meticulous teacher, she stayed up nights marking papers and preparing lesson plans. her most difficult task as a teacher was being stern and not laughing while reprimanding a student who had done something funny though out of line. In Richmond, Eva enjoyed going to exercise classes. She played tennis with her three teenage sons in Byrd Park -sometimes late at night. Eva also enjoyed black-tie events at the officer's club with her husband. Eva was the Willkie family maverick. The first to own a Polaroid Instamatic Camera, a microwave, a computer, and the first to vacation solo- not only to Outer Band, NC, but to Europe for two weeks. She was admired for being willing to try new things and venture to new places. During the period her daughter, Miriam, worked as a travel agent, Eva and Miriam traveled throughout the United States and cruised to the Caribbean several times. They enjoyed one another's company and made even the most mundane activity hilarious by being silly. To see them together, they appeared to be best friends, not mother and daughter. In their care, it was one and the same. Eva transformed one of her home's bedrooms to a computer room. She researched genealogy and published a family newsletter. Family was always important to her. She wanted to ensure that though distant from one another, her relatives could celebrate successes, acknowledge birthdays, and share what was new in their lives. Eva and Robert had the gift of hospitality, they invited their niece, Phyllis to live with them while she attended college. At the same time, Daddy Prince, Robert's father, stayed with them. Eva later invited her sister, Louise, to join her in Virginia. Though Louise declined, she appreciated that her sister has extended an offer of love and caring. Eva retired from teaching in 1993, which allowed her to travel more. She and Robert visited Disney World with her sister Ruth and brother-in-law, Corey, a tri that made the foursome turn young at heart. Eva and Robert also took their grandchildren, Sean,Bryan and Kimberly, to Disney World. Returning home from school, Sean and Bryan learned of the trip when Eva boarded their bus and announced, "You're not going back to school tomorrow. You're going to Disney World!" Eva and Robert became avid cruisers. She also accompanied her niece, Phyllis on business trips and enjoyed casino outings. Eva, beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend , blessed many with her nurturing, caring spirit and optimistic, fun loving attitude. Left to cherish her memory are son, Ronald Irving, daughter, Miriam Fisher and son-in-law, Calvin Fisher, sister Sandra Price, niece-like- a- sister, Carolyn Johnson Millender, granddaughter, Kimberly Felder, grandsons; Robert and Brandon Irving, and Sean and Bryan Richardson, nieces; Phyllis Stewart-Ruffin, Darlene Bastian, and Theresa Price, nephews; William (Douglas) Stewart and Donnell Price and a Myriad of grandchildren, step-grandchildren, other relatives and friends. One way to keep Eva's memory alive- Enjoy Your Family. .

Tributes

Evadnie A. Irving

July 26, 1939 - January 14, 2021