Aunt Evelyn was something else…

At age 65, retirement was nowhere in sight for her.  She worked at a local IGA market called Sefa’s for many years, and recently they have changed the ownership and the name is now the Howell Village Market in downtown Howell.  And she worked as a cashier until she was age 92.  She worked four days a week and walked to and from her home as she was only about a block or two away.  She always wore a dress, pantyhose, and high heels; not 3 inch heels, but never flats at all ~ no way!   Aunt Evelyn was a familiar face at the Howell Village Market, and many of the customers incorrectly guessed her to be in her 70s when she was age 92.

She started working when most people are thinking of retiring.  She not only worked at the store, but she kept a three-story colonial home absolutely immaculate.  She mowed her own grass until she was 87 years old with a reel push mower, not an automatic ~ and she raked her own leaves until she was 90 years old.  Talk about a remarkable woman!

Aunt Evelyn lived in that three-story home on Washington Street for 60 years with her husband, who died in 1981.  They had four daughters ~ two had preceded her in death from cancer.  She herself was never sick.   Amazing Aunt Evelyn!

She died after only six years of retirement, and lived in her home until two years ago when she moved into a ‘retirement’ facility ~ and relatives say she's a "tough act to follow!"

We had many a family reunion at that house.  I remember going there as a young girl of ten, and the last time was about five years ago for a family reunion.   My father was one of eight, being the fifth child.  Aunt Evelyn was the fourth child in that family.  Only one aunt is left and she is 88 ~ her health is not the best, but she was at the funeral on Monday. 

We believe Aunt Evelyn is still keeping up on her chores in the afterlife. "I would imagine she's got her feather duster out and she's helping God clean," said her 76-y/o daughter ~ and we all nodded in agreement!