Evelyn Lydia (Steffen) George

Evelyn Lydia (Steffen) George, 99, of Fort Worth, Texas, passed on Thursday morning, April 13,2023, surrounded by her children and grandchildren who adored her. “If everyone was as kind as she, what a wonderful world this would be.”

Born December 26, 1923, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Evelyn was the daughter of Archie and Verta Steffen. She and her five brothers and sisters, Ginny, Archie, Ray, Joyce, and Lee were raised with great love and kindness in their home “on the street with the star.” At the age of seven, Evelyn fell and severely damaged her left leg. She spent the next 18 months in a Catholic Charity Hospital, only able to see her mother one Saturday each month when her mother could arrange childcare and ride the bus into town. After her recovery, Evelyn came home to her family, returned to school, and excelled in her studies. She started office work at the Bethlehem Steel Company the day after she graduated from high school.

She married the love of her life, Donald F. George, on Valentine’s Day, 1948, boarding a train for a weekend honeymoon to New York City. During the Korean War, Don and Evelyn lived in San Diego where he was stationed as a Naval Reservist, and she worked for Convair Aircraft. Afterwards, Don used his GI benefit to attend Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Evelyn was employed at McDonnell Douglas. They bought their first home in 1957 in Tulsa, raised their children, Donna and Joe, and welcomed their grandchildren Daniel and Erin. In 1999, they moved to Fort Worth to be near family. Upon the occasion of their 50^th wedding anniversary, Evelyn’s younger sister Joyce said thank you to Don for taking such good care of her sister for 50 years. He replied, “It’s been my great pleasure.” Don and Evelyn were married 57 glorious years.

At the age of 84, Evelyn achieved her lifelong dream of visiting all 50 states. She was fond of cardinals and a fan of music. Elvis, Tony Bennett, and “those English boys” – the Beatles and Coldplay – were among her many favorites. If she was not singing, she was jotting down the lyrics or making them up as she sang along. She enjoyed writing and receiving letters from family and friends scattered all over the US and continued to write in her exquisite “pen-woman-ship” and shorthand until her hands would no longer allow. In her 99 years, she experienced many changes in the world around her and in her personal life, but always remained appreciative and joyful. “It’s all too much,” she would say. Evelyn ended each prayer with God Bless America, God Bless Us All. She was a member of St. Luke’s Methodist Church, Haltom City, Texas.

Evelyn was a lovely gift, our treasure we will cherish always. Her gentleness, grace, humor, and affection brought joy to each day shared in her dear company. Thank you for a wonderful life, until we meet again.

She is survived by her children; daughter Donna Pliska and her husband James of North Richland Hills, TX; son Joe George and his wife Sharon of Granbury, TX; grandson Daniel Barnard and his wife Rain Sprague of Forth Worth, TX; granddaughter Erin White and her husband Lucas of Portland, OR; siblings Ray Steffen, Allentown, PA and Lee Steffen, Arlington, TX.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her beloved husband Don and siblings Ginny, Joyce, and Archie.

A private family service will be held at the DFW National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the charity of your choice in her memory.