Viola G. Evans, who lived in Pacific Palisades for nearly 59 years, passed away peacefully on April 5, after suffering from dementia. She was 88. Vi was a familiar face in the Bienveneda neighborhood, greeting neighbors on a regular basis as they walked their dogs and baby strollers past her as she weeded her garden. Portia, Eiseley and Romeo, three St. Bernards who were her favorite visitors, will miss her terribly. Born on May 6, 1923 in Alexandria, Virginia, to Etta Isabel Marshall and August Peter Gompf, Vi was one of three children. At a young age, she graduated from The College of William and Mary with a degree in biology. Following graduation, Vi proudly served in the Navy and was stationed in Florida. She taught servicemen at the Naval Air Station the effects of low oxygen levels when at 10,000 ft. above sea level. It was in the Navy that she met her husband, Barton Evans Sr., who also served in the Navy. Vi and Bart moved to the Palisades in 1953 and raised three children, Barton Jr., Bruce and Barbara. During the 1960s, all three children enjoyed riding their bikes to St. Matthew’s School, returning home sometimes with stories of having seen rattlesnakes on the old dirt road that used to lead up to their classrooms. Vi volunteered for years at St. Matthew’s Church. She was responsible for all the record-keeping of the church pledges, a job done by hand until the arrival of the computer. Following the death of her husband in 1979, Vi began volunteering at the LAX Travelers Aid counter. She proudly wore her uniform of a red jacket and navy blue pants, driving to the airport one day a week for over 20 years. Vi helped people from all over the world who arrived in L.A. confused, were lost, had just missed a flight connection or had questions on how to find Disneyland, Venice Beach or the homes of movie stars. Vi is survived by her three children, Barton Jr. (wife Dr. H. Andrea Neves) of Hillsborough, Bruce Marshall Evans of Woodland Hills, and Barbara Evans McDowell (husband Jim) of Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, and three grandchildren, Katherine (Kate) McDowell, Laura McDowell and Gregory McDowell. Many memories were shared with Grandma Vi, traveling to such places as Hawaii, Las Vegas, Punta Cana, Palm Springs, Germany and even Greece! A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, June 5 at St. Matthew’s Church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Vitas Innovative Hospice Care, 16830 Ventura Blvd., Suite 315, Encino, CA 91436, The Parish of St. Matthew, P.O. Box 37, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272, or Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Ave., New York, N.Y. 10065.
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