CONCORD --- Myrna M. Evans, 88, died Monday, February 5, 2024 at Havenwood Heritage Heights.
She was born on January 12, 1936 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, one of three daughters of Arvid H. and Lillian (Johansen) Monsen.
Myrna was raised in Arlington and Winchester, graduating from Winchester High School in 1953 - the same year she met Richard Evans whom she married in 1957. She went on to earn a BS from Tufts University and graduated from Boston School of Occupational Therapy in 1959. In 1969, she made a career change to public school teaching and taught Family Life and Child Development classes, first in Ashburnham and then in Reading, Massachusetts.
One of Myrna’s talents was as a creative fabric artist. After retiring from teaching, she established a home-based business where she designed and created original bridal gowns, attendant’s dresses, women’s clerical vestments, and paraments for churches.
Although raised in Massachusetts, her heart always remained in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire where her maternal grandparents and her parents had lived, and where she returned to live and visit as often as possible. Returning from Florida in 2011, Myrna and Richard moved to Gilford, closer to the lake and their family. Looking to age in place, their final move took them to Havenwood Heritage Heights in Concord.
Myrna is survived by her husband of 66 years, Rev. Richard L. Evans of Concord; daughters, Beth Evans and partner, Raymond Carpenter, of Meredith and Cora Viglione and husband, Edmund, of Derry; sons, Jeffrey Evans and partner, Susan Evans, of Salem and Russell Evans and wife, Susanne, of Meredith; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild; a sister, Barbara Shaw of Plymouth, MA; sister-in-law, Kathleen Evans of Holden, MA; and several nieces and nephews. Also, Charles E. Boyd of San Diego, CA (a foster son who has been part of the family since 1968). In addition to her parents, Myrna was predeceased by a sister, Carol Avent; and daughter-in-law, Lisa Evans.
A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, February 24, 2024, at 11 a.m. in the Wesley United Methodist Church, 79 Clinton St., Concord, NH.
Inurnment will take place at a later date in the Garden of Memories at Gilford United Methodist Church.
Those who wish to remember Myrna in a tangible way may consider a memorial gift to Rolling Ridge Conference Center, 660 Great Pond Road, North Andover, MA 01845.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, NH, 03246, is assisting the family with arrangements.