Evelyn Janice (Julien) Walsh, 83, of Salem passed away peacefully at home following a brief illness in the early hours of Wednesday, March 26, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

Evelyn "Evy" was born in Danvers to the late Louis Edward "Eddie" and Rose (St. Amand) Julien and was the beloved wife of 57 years to the late, great John Walsh. She was the loving, caring, devoted mother to Michele (Joe) Castellucci of Nashua, NH, Julie of Beverly, Maureen (Lee) Davis of Salem, Michael of Lynn, and the late Edward of Salem. She was the loving, adoring grandmother of Amanda (Steve) Morrison of Billerica, Angela (Patrick) McReynolds of Lowell, Matthew (Tiffany) Davis of Hudson, NH, Anthony (Kayla) Castellucci of Southborough, Lauren (Nate) Thompson of Salem, Seanna Walsh-Quill of Beverly, Donnie Walsh of Oakland, CA, Shannon Evelyn Davis (fiancée Noah Hwang) of Salem, and Brandon Walsh of Danvers. Evelyn also leaves behind her pride and joy great-grandchildren Savannah and Kaia Morrison of Billerica, Oliver and Alexander McReynolds of Lowell, and Milo Castellucci of Southborough. She also leaves behind her siblings Emelie Bonin-Feins (Stephen Feins) of Foxborough, and Lorraine (John) Raleigh of Hampton, NH.

Evelyn was educated at St. Joseph Elementary School and was a proud graduate of St. Joseph High School where she made many lifelong friends. She had fond memories of her childhood family vacations at Chemo Pond in Maine. Throughout her life, she worked at the candy counter at Almy's Department Store selling Sanborn Candies, and as an operator at the New England Telephone Company in Salem. She attended Salem Hospital School of Nursing until she met the love of her life, John, on a blind date on Valentine's Day in 1960. After marrying John in 1961 and immediately growing their family, Evelyn attended Essex Agricultural & Technical Institute School of Nursing and earned her degree as a Licensed Practical Nurse in 1977. She worked the nightshift as an LPN at Salem Hospital on Phippen 7 until a devastating career-ending injury in 1987. Evelyn was very fond of her colleagues and has been referred to as a "crackerjack" nurse. Following her injury, she continued to work at Salem Hospital as a secretary in the clinic supporting the medical residents in community care.

Evelyn loved animals, and animals loved Evelyn. She was a longtime supporter of both the Northeast Animal Shelter and the MSPCA. If she could have brought all the animals home, she would have! There is no doubt Evelyn was happily greeted by her "zoo" upon her passing from this life.

Many family road trip vacations were enjoyed in "Vanna", the GMC conversion van that was purchased upon John's retirement. Lifetime happy memories were created for the grandchildren at Grammy and Grampy's trailer at Airline Mobile Home Park in South Dennis, Cape Cod. Most of the grandchildren learned to ride a bike on the famous "black road" (a newly paved street in the park). Every family vacation or excursion with Evelyn included a trip to a yarn shop. If you were lucky enough to be the recipient of one of Evelyn's incredibly beautiful hand-knit sweaters, hats, etc., you felt the love that she wove into it. Each new member of the family looked forward to receiving one of her Christmas stockings as an official welcome. Her Irish knit sweaters were well sought after and admired by all. When it was time to go anywhere, Evelyn's famous line to John was, "just one more row!" He always gave in J. Evelyn was a member of the North of Boston Richelieu Club where she met monthly with other French-speaking community members and friends. She was a devout catholic and shared her faith with her family.

While enduring her many medical challenges over the years, Evelyn continued to maintain her awesome humor, wit and, as she would put it, stubborn-minded "French sass" that we all knew and loved. She kept her mind sharp by completing the daily New York Times crossword puzzles, paint-by-number and jigsaw puzzles on her smartphone. She was highly competitive with her children and grandchildren for bragging rights with the daily results of Wordle, Quordle, Octordle, and Sedecordle word games.

Evelyn leaves behind her sisters-in-law Joyce Walsh, Edie Walsh, Marjorie Reynolds, all of Salem, her brother-in-law Brendan Walsh of Salem, and several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, as well as several lucky godchildren, including Marie Mannion of Derry, NH. She was thrilled to reconnect with her former daughter-in-law, Amy Walsh. Evelyn also leaves behind her beloved dog, Rosie, and cats Rosie and Eddie, along with her grand dog Charlie and grand cat Boo, who miss her dearly.

In addition to her parents and husband, John, Evelyn is predeceased by her youngest son, Edward, parents-in-law Charles and Margaret (Trainor) Walsh, sisters-in-law Eleanor Morey, Angela Doyle, and Katherine Walsh, and brothers-in-law Donald Walsh, James Walsh, and Charles "Ben" Walsh.

Evelyn was always kind and friendly, leaving a lasting impression on everyone she met. She fondly remembered her dad singing "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine" to her. She was our sunshine and the brightest light in our lives. We will miss her easy spirit and beautiful smile dearly. May she rest in eternal peace.

In fulfillment of Evelyn's wishes, there will be no visiting hours, and funeral services will be private. There will be a memorial Mass for Evelyn and John on their wedding anniversary, September 4, 2025 (time and location TBD).

Memorial contributions can be made in her name to either one of these charities:

Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan Street, Suite B-102, Danvers, MA  01923 or online at CareDimensions.org/Donate

Northeast Animal Shelter, 347 Highland Avenue, Salem, MA  01970

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN  38105