Evelyn N. Crowl

On May 17th, 1911, Evelyn surprised her parents, John and Edythe (Clinger) Neil, arriving a month before her due date. The family of three made their home on Jiroch Street, a half block from the old McLaughlin School where Evelyn would attend school. Some of the "kids" on the block and from that elementary school became lifelong friends. Evelyn was the center of attention as an only child/grandchild/niece in the midst of an adoring family. At a young age she was "deputized" by her maternal grandfather, Vincent Clinger, then County Sheriff. Proud Deputy Sheriff dad looked on. Evelyn saved every gift of money received from her family while growing up and used her resources to fund her college education. While working at Daniel's Office Supply she attended Junior College (now Muskegon Community College) on the top floor of the Hackley Building for three years. Wishing to pursue a career in Interior Design, she transferred to the University of Michigan where she studied in the architectural school for two years. As there was no true major in her field she continued her education at Pratt Institute of Design in New York City. It was there she landed her first job at B. Altman's department store commanding men's wages as long as she did not tell any one. In the Big Apple she met the love of her life, Philip Taylor Crowl. During the time of their courtship, Evelyn needed to borrow five dollars between each pay check to make ends meet. Phil said if she married him she wouldn't have to pay it back. Marry they did and moved to Philadelphia where Mobil Oil Company transferred Phil. It was there that their first daughter, Patricia, was born. They moved to Media, a suburb of Philly, where they lived until retirement. Their second daughter, Carol, was born there. Evelyn was a stay-at-home mom who used her talents to decorate her home and advise friends who asked for help. She taught a few classes in Interior Design. She was skilled in making slipcovers, lampshades and draperies, refinishing furniture, and improving the appearance of whatever she touched. Once the girls were in high school she resumed her career. With two daughters, Evelyn volunteered to lead a Brownie troop. With the girls four years apart, that was a long commitment. Little did she know her tour of duty would extend to twenty-seven years as she continued to volunteer on the county board of the Girl Scout office. She claims she moved back to Muskegon to escape but the board here was notified of her arrival. Home was the center of family activity and fun from Saturday morning pancake breakfasts with the record player playing to Sunday night ice cream sundaes with Evelyn's homemade hot fudge sauce, to daughters camping in the backyard. Every summer Evelyn and her family would travel to Muskegon to visit her parents. She enjoyed reuniting with classmates as well. She and Phil loved the Big Lake and talked about retiring here. When that time came in 1969, daughter Pat and her husband Tom and their three children were living here and so they followed through with their plan. Phil and Evelyn enjoyed renewing friendships, making new ones and becoming involved in the community. They watched their grandchildren grow up and enjoyed some years of travel. Philip died in 1983 after an extended illness. They had been married for forty-six years. Evelyn traveled with friends to many places around the world. She attended First Congregational Church and was a member of Circle 10 for many years. She worked to increase her understanding of her faith in the Neighborhood Bible Studies program and other classes. She was a long time member of PEO, Chapter Y, Friends of Art and Hackley Library. There was never any question as to Evelyn's loyalty. Her commitment to her friends was undeniably clear. She had a sincere interest in her them and their families. Evelyn found it important to have friends of all ages. There was, however, a special place in her heart for her dear sorority sisters Peg Keyser, Lu Kinney and Dottie Von Bremen. Her family was the center of her life and she was committed to being involved in the lives of her grandchildren. Upon turning the age of ten, each grandchild received a special trip to Chicago with grandma where they would stay in a hotel with a pool and visit museums together. Sometimes it doesn't become clear what the full impact of someone's life was on your own until they are no longer able to be with you. It is our unique love that shapes the world and the lives around us. Perhaps Evelyn's love can best be seen through the connection and influence she had on her grandchildren, or maybe through her commitment to her friends, or maybe it was simply when she walked in the room and smiled you said to yourself, "I'm loved." She gave what can only come from God, her love, and it can never be taken away. Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband Philip in 1983. Her family includes her two daughters, Patricia Neil Crowl (G. Thomas) Johnson of Muskegon and Carol Lynn Crowl (Brian) Conway of Mountain Lakes, NJ; 6 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren including Geoffrey (Barbara Garner) Johnson with Lee & Seth, David (Tracy) Johnson with Katherine & Lauren Evelyn, Elizabeth (Matthew Cooper) Johnson with Will, Deborah (Jack) Howard with Ryan & Kevin, Julie (Eric) Waltz with Jake & Carolyn Neil, Laurie (Sylvan) Waller.