With her children at her side, Evelyn B. Curry passed away peacefully on May 10, 2023, in Hackettstown, NJ, at the age of 88.

Born at home in Herminie, Pennsylvania on June 27, 1934, to Ukrainian immigrants Alexander and Anna (nee Maroscovich) Belak, Evelyn, “Tootsie” to her family and childhood friends, grew up a coal miner’s daughter in the hills of Pennsylvania. She spent her life overcoming obstacles and defying expectations, beginning with her first moments on Earth as a “blue baby.” As the 13th of 15 children, she absorbed the values of resilience, determination, dedication to family, good humor, and enduring faith. Her parents’ hard work, resourcefulness, and the sacrifices they made for their children were constant themes of the stories she told of her childhood.

Evelyn took to heart God’s teachings of living and loving fully, generously, and joyfully. She never failed to acknowledge His glorious work and the daily delight it gave her. As a mother of six, she nonetheless found time to teach catechism, attend bible study, serve as Eucharistic Minister, and participate in a variety of community groups. She also made a point of dabbing a bit of Joy perfume (hidden in her spice cabinet) behind each ear before Park, her adored and adoring husband, arrived home at the end of the day. In their 64 years of marriage, they became terrific dancers, but Evelyn always saved the polkas for her sisters.

A true extrovert, Evelyn maintained a warm and welcoming home where family, neighbors, friends, and sometimes strangers, were welcomed with open arms and a bite to eat. Always ready with a kind word, a positive comment, or a funny story, her unique light will be missed by many.

She and Park called many places home over the years, including Pennsylvania, Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey, and Florida. Throughout Park’s career as an aerospace engineer, Evelyn accompanied him on business trips across the globe, exploring destinations on four continents. After Park retired, they made a motorcoach their second home and traversed the country as pilot and copilot from Alaska to Florida and everywhere in between. The once-barefoot girl from Herminie, PA grew up to travel the world with Park by her side, making lifelong friends at every stop along the way. She often remarked that she lived a life of abundance and adventure her childhood self could never have imagined.

Evelyn was predeceased by her devoted husband of 64 years, Park Curry; brothers Charles, Mike, Alexander, George, and John Belak; and sisters Mary Zakutney, Julie Defenderfer, Sophie Nocera, Nancy Eresh, and infant Anne Belak.

She is survived by her children Mark Curry and partner Melissa, Daniel Curry, Patricia Curry, Kathryn VanKooy and husband David, Kimberly McGowan and husband Michael, and Maria Curry; grandchildren Daniel and Michael Curry, Maxwell and Emma VanKooy, Grace and James McGowan, and Valentina Curry; sisters Anne Olesh, Katherine Monstrola, Alice Belak, and Patricia Slifkey; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.

A brief prayer service, followed by visitation and remembrance, will be held on Thursday, June 1, from 1:00-3:00 pm at Cochran Funeral Home, 905 High Street, Hackettstown, followed by evening visitation from 6:00-8:00 pm. A Memorial Mass will be said in her honor on Monday, June 5, at 2:00 pm in the auditorium at Heath Village, where she regularly attended services with her friends and neighbors.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to Hope for Ukraine, hopeforukraine.net, 101 Eisenhower Pkwy, Suite 300, Roseland, NJ 07068, or the American Civil Liberties Union, aclu.org.