Evelyn Marie Roberts Richards

Evelyn Marie Roberts Richards was born to Marie L. and O.T. Roberts in Windsor, Virginia. She had one younger brother, Oscar T. Roberts, Jr. who died earlier this year. In 1944, she graduated from Bridgewater College of Virginia, planning further education in the medical field. She took a "war job" (WWII) as a quality control lab chemist for DuPont. There she met Benjamin S. Richards, Jr., "the most charming man I had ever met" when he joined DuPont following his WWII discharge. They were married on October 18, 1947. After many moves around the western USA, they were transferred to Salt Lake City in 1966 when Ben became sales manager for the Mountain West Division of DuPont's explosives department. They had lived here since then. Ben predeceased her in 2010 after they had celebrated 62 years of marriage.

Evelyn was a terrific mother to three "intelligent, independent and caring" children: Susan (James) Welna, Sally (David) Stewart and Dr. B. Stephens (Denise) Richards. She thoroughly treasured her six grandchildren: Katie Richards who predeceased her in 1995, Anne (Robert) Stewart, Adam (Maggie) Richards, Jenn (Garrett) Welna, Becca Welna and Caroline (Robert) Richards Smithson.

Community volunteer par excellence, she gave her time to the PTA and Girl Scouts, as a "basketball mom" for Steve and to the University of Utah Hospital where she later worked as a technician in the Heart Research Program. She volunteered for all the arts' guilds and was a docent for the U of U Museums of Natural History and Fine Arts. She enjoyed WAAIMES. Evelyn was a charter member and past president of the Assistance League of Salt Lake City and was an active member of Daria Book Club and Town Club. She and Ben enjoyed foreign travel following Ben's retirement. Ev valued her many dear friends including those in "sewing club", investment club and bridge group.

A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, October 8th at 2 pm at Wasatch Presbyterian Church, 1626 S. 1700 East, in Salt Lake City. In lieu of flowers, Evelyn hoped that donations would be made to Assistance League programs Brighter Tomorrows or Operation School Bell, ALSLC, Box 9353, Salt Lake City, UT 84109. Special thanks go to the supportive and compassionate people at CareSource Residence Center for the kindness extended to Evelyn and her family.

Messages and tributes to the family can be posted at: www.holbrookmortuary.com