Evelyn Caroline (Svenson) Granger, passed away on Thursday evening, November 14, 2024 at the age of 92. Known as "Evie," she was born June 11, 1932 in Rockville Center, Long Island, New York to Algot Elvin Svenson and Florence Evelyn Dooley. Her younger sister Florence was born in 1936.

In high school, Evelyn became an honor roll student, an athlete, a class officer, a thespian and a pianist. She was selected in 1949 as "Miss Central" for her "personality, character, intelligence and natural beauty." In 1950 Evie graduated from Valley Stream Central High School, later completing a nursing degree in 1953 from St. Luke's Hospital in Manhattan.

Evie met the love of her life, Ronald Grant Granger, while in high school. Three years older, Ron considered Evie the prettiest girl in the school. One day, while delivering newspapers he spotted her mowing her parents' lawn. It struck him that she'd make a great, hard-working partner. After asking her out, they began dating while she pursued her nursing degree and he his dental degree nearby at Columbia University.

Ron and Evie married on November 22, 1953. Ron joined the Navy and Evie worked in operating rooms and urology departments before starting a family. Their first child, a beautiful daughter named Roni Lynn, arrived on Valentine's Day 1955. With Navy orders in hand, they packed up their new car and baby to begin a cross-country trek to the wilds of Alaska (then a US territory). Their new home was on Kodiak Island, home of the famous Kodiak Brown Bears.

Over the years, more children were born as their Navy career, and then a professorship, led them to homes and schools in Washington, DC; Virginia Beach, VA; Potomac, MD; Charleston, SC and Boston, MA.

Summers were spent at the family cottage along the southern coast of Maine. Boating, island walks, and polar plunges were daily activities. Seafood dinners for large family gatherings seemed to "appear" from Evie's tiny kitchen.

After retiring, Evie and Ron moved to the Eastern Shore of Maryland and raised Hereford cattle. Petite Evie learned to move those huge cattle around, sometimes just with her eyes, the way she did with her children. Later they moved to Boynton Beach, FL to be near family and enjoy warmer winters.

Evie was a loyal trooper—maintaining the home and family while Ron did months away on an aircraft carrier abroad. She was always ready to prepare whatever the intrepid outdoorsmen, Ron and his sons, caught or hunted—including fish, crabs, ducks, doves, geese and deer. She became a skilled and adventurous cook, a gracious entertainer, as well as a warm mother and skilled nurse to her children.

Evie had a zest for life, a sparkle in her eye, and always a smile. She made meal prep look easy—each school morning she'd play John Philip Sousa marches while flipping a dozen eggs and making up to fourteen sandwiches for six lunchboxes. She always hosted New Year's Eve and birthday parties.

Evelyn was an avid reader, pursuing her interests in history, politics, and gardening.  She loved movies, theater, and art museums.  Travel was a big treat. Thanks to her parents offering to babysit, Evie visited Ron in the French Alps for Christmas during one of his tours in the Sixties. Later with family, she toured Egypt, Turkey, and many Baltic countries, including Sweden, Norway, Russia, Lithuania, and England. In Sweden she reconnected with her father's relatives who he left in 1911 to immigrate to the United States.

Evie and Ron raised five children, Roni Lynn Gidley (Robert), Lori Elaine Granger Leveen (Steve), Grant Gregory Granger (deceased), Bryan Dale Granger (Diana), and Eric Kent Granger (Karen).

Evie taught her children to be kind, to maintain a balance of one's studies, sports and friendships, and to do their best in every endeavor. She encouraged them to be leaders at school and in their jobs. She served as President of the Navy Dental Wives Club in Norfolk, VA, and she taught Sunday School at Baylake Methodist Church. Honesty and integrity were basic values she instilled in her children, along with putting family first.

Throughout Evelyn's short illness, she was surrounded by her loving husband of 71 years, her children, their spouses, and their six grandchildren: Jessica Zupke, Laura Calvert, Greg Gidley, Cal Leveen, Corey Leveen, and Luke Granger. She is also survived by her grandchildren's spouses: Jeff Zupke, Evan Calvert, Devin Gidley, Stephanie Leveen, and Katie Leveen, as well as nine great-grandchildren she knew and loved.

The family thanks their friends, extended family, caregivers and doctors for the love and support they showed Evie, especially these last few months.

A celebration of life is being planned for family.

Donations in memory of Evelyn Granger may be directed to either: 4Kids , to help children in crisis find a loving family, or Alzheimer's Foundation of America .