Family and friends
This page was created to help bring together and collate precious memories in a single place online.
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Join MemoriesDara Arends Two years ago Evelyn, Leslie, Susan and I went to see Ruthie Foster in concert. It was an intimate venue. We nibbled on goodies we picked up at a local market. What a lovely night that was. My love to you both. Always.
Leslie Absher Evelyn and I taking a selfie in her backyard last summer. Her yard was so cozy and inviting, just like her home. It was infused with her creative spirit.
Leslie Absher "The light touch is often the strongest gesture of all." Helen Frankenthaler
Leslie Absher
Leslie Absher
Leslie Absher Evelyn was an artist her entire life. As she explained, the moment she could hold something in her hand, her mother put a crayon in it and taught her how to draw. Raised in a family of painters – both Evelyn’s mother, Jeanette Patricia Shook Absher, and grandmother, Janet Shook Lacoste, were Texas artists – Evelyn shared an unbreakable, special bond with her mother through art. Drawing, painting, and mixed media were a vital part of Evelyn’s life and personal expression of identity. After studying art throughout high school at the Buxton School in Williamstown, MA, Evelyn continued her studies for a year at Kalamazoo College in Michigan. She then transferred to The School of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston and Tufts University in 1988 to focus on drawing and painting. Evelyn graduated with a BFA, SMFA Diploma, and a Fifth Year Graduate Certificate in 1991/1992. Her most recent expressive direction featured subtle relationships, color, essences of gesture, the earth and the natural world. Evelyn described herself as a “painter of abstract expressionistic works that speak of the natural world and its delicate, powerful, dynamic seen and unseen forces that surround us each day, whether we realize it or not.” Evelyn’s art was exhibited in Boston at The Society of Arts and Crafts; The Barbara and Steven Grossman Gallery in Worcester MA; the Worcester Center for Crafts; and the Wells Gallery in Lenox MA. It was also featured in the Robert Lehman Gallery-Urban Glass/New York Contemporary Glass Center in Brooklyn, New York and at the Mesa Arts Center in Mesa Arizona. A stunning larger-than-life stained glass/mixed-media piece honoring Evelyn’s mother lives in the permanent collection at the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery in Waterloo, Ontario Canada. Evelyn carried her training and essence as an artist with her everywhere, working in the fields of art education, studio art and human services throughout her career. She taught at the Fitchburg Art Museum in Fitchburg MA; The Leventhal-Sidman Jewish Community Center in Newton MA; The Buxton School in Williamstown MA; and at the Massachusetts College of Art and The School of the Museum of Fine Arts, both in Boston. Most recently, Evelyn worked as a Wellness Counselor at Veterans Inc. in Worcester MA. Perhaps no quote better sums up Evelyn’s mark upon this world than the one by Helen Frankethaler – an abstract painter – that Evelyn featured on her artist website: "The light touch is often the strongest gesture of all." The concept pairs so beautifully with this one expressed by Evelyn: “I have always had a deep love of nature and in being outdoors. A large part of my personal ethic includes the mantra: ‘I walk lightly upon the earth.’ " Evelyn did indeed walk lightly upon the earth while leaving a deep impression on every being she connected with, which included her beloved dogs Sugar and guardian angel Cubby. She was the deeply loved daughter of Kenneth Michael Absher, a public servant with the Central Intelligence Agency, and Jeanette Patricia Shook Absher. Evelyn is survived by her caring and beloved stepmother Cindy Absher of Coral Gables, Florida; her sister Leslie Absher, a writer and teacher, and Leslie’s wife Susan Beneville, a comic book writer and attorney; Denis Leary, her partner, Executive Director of Veterans Inc.; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends, all of whom will forever miss her. Evelyn will be laid to rest next to her mother in a private burial service in San Antonio, Texas, in the fall and her family is planning a memorial service in Massachusetts in early summer. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Evelyn’s memory in support of one of these organizations dear to her heart: ArtsWorcester in Worcester MA; Veterans Inc. in Worcester MA; and Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue in Hudson MA.
Leslie Absher
Gail Rossitter I’ve been blessed to have these two sisters in my life for almost forty years. One of the last times I saw Evelyn we took a peaceful walk by the reservoir; we ate ice cream and we loved on her dog. She was a kindred quiet soul. Her gift with art brought beauty into this world. I’ll miss her. Sending her love on her next journey.
I loved being around Evelyn. Such a beautiful, gentle, caring soul. Her sweet and gentle demeanor was such a joy to experience and bathe in. Her creativity was so beautiful; I loved seeing what she created, be it redoing her house or creating visual art. She had a lovingness about her. This world will not be as rich without her, but I am so thank...
Stephanie Tilton I’ve known Evelyn for over 30 years through my friendship with Leslie and was blessed to build my own friendship with Evelyn in recent months. I always treasured time with Evelyn. Whether we were talking about art or a thought-provoking book or just soaking up the peaceful beauty during a walk in the woods with Sugar, I loved Evelyn’s presence, generous spirit and heartfelt laugh. I will forever be thankful to have known her sweet, gentle soul — and will forever miss her. ❤️
I went to high school with Evelyn, although we were not close while we were there. We reached out to each other on FB about six or seven years ago and became friends. Evelyn was very special to me. She represented and shone with the best of life. The impression her soul made on mine was deep. I remember how excited she was when she got Sugar, ...
kim evans I took this with Evelyn in mind. I think she'd approve.
Ewa Macierakowska touring the gardens, happy, blissful day with my beautiful friend... June 2016
Evelyn and I were neighbors in West Boylston when I lived on Central Street. I can thank Mr. Cub for connecting us. Evelyn was quite, shy, but Mr. Cub...oh, he was coming to visit every time they walked by. Of course he knew I started keeping cookies for him! I was so honored when Evelyn trusted me to take care of Cubby, her cat, and her house when...
Ewa Macierakowska road trip to visit with the lamas, splendid summer day with my darling friend... July 2018
Ewa Macierakowska i thought that from the start... i love you!!!!!
Ewa Macierakowska after a hike, on my birthday, i came home to this beautiful, thoughtful, homemade gift, from my darling, darling friend! I love you so!!! April 2016
Evelyn- such a quiet, kind, generous, sweet person, a great listener, and an amazing artist, with a great sense of humor. Evelyn was so dedicated to her art and to her work I remember her helping to bring the Tibetan monks to the Vet Center, where they built a beautiful mandala for compassion from colored sand. She is gone way too soon.. May her ...
Ewa Macierakowska A great day at our home with Evelyn, looking through music to borrow from Daniel. December 2018 -Daniel Coughlin
I worked with Evelyn at Veterans Inc she was my supervisor and was a wonderful caring hard working and dedicated in helping Veterans in the IH program. I remember her telling me about her Dads struggles when he passed my heart went out to her. I will keep her and her family in my prayers and to know she is now in the comfort of her loving father. ...
Rebekah Ambrose-Dalton I wish we could have walked farther together, my rare, lovely, precious friend.
I am so sad to hear of Evelyn's passing. Her artwork is a window into Ev: delicate and deeply resolute and full of conviction. She laughed easily (what a smile she had!), and was an extraordinary listener. She was empathetic and completely authentic. I knew Evelyn at Buxton, when I was a new teacher, and later, when she returned to teach. It's so ...
Dona Coleman Not a week goes by that I don't realize some influence Evelyn has had on me--she's why I wear Birkenstocks, love Tom Waits and Lauryn Hill, eat hummus, am obsessed with watching "This is a Robbery" on Netflix recalling how we lived on Farrington Ave. in March, 1990, next to a certain infamous ex-museum security guard. On Friday, there was an accident, and I got completely turned around on my morning commute. Suddenly, I was in Illinois, driving by Monk's Mound, one of Ev's must-sees during her visit to St. Louis in July 2019. I woke up this morning compelled to share these memories, not even realizing today is her birthday. How much I miss her. Even though we lived apart and would sometimes debate, I knew she was always there. Considering this week's coincidences, I think maybe she still is.