Helene Jacqueline Evans

Helene Evans, 89, was born in Placerville, California on Dec. 27, 1925 to Rolon and Rosalie Irish. She passed away peacefully in Portland, Oregon on May 4, 2015 from pancreatic cancer. In her last days, she was with her son, daughter, their spouses, all 5 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and 2 nieces. Helene grew up in Placerville and graduated from Placerville High School. During WWII, she met her husband Donald. After the war, they married and had 2 children, raising them in California, finally settling in Sacramento. Helene was preceded in death in 1998 by her husband of 52 years, Donald Max Evans. She later married Don Gillam of Bozeman, Montana who passed away in 2012. She was a homemaker, raised her children and worked for Sacramento County. Her favorite activity was going to estate and garage sales, looking for antiques and scouring thrift stores to find great bargains. She enjoyed working in her yard and feeding “her” wild birds and squirrels. She was an avid dog lover, always with one or two by her side. Rain or shine, she walked her dogs every day, covering about a mile, until 6 weeks before her passing. Helene was a member of St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Sacramento for many years. She moved to Portland in 2012 to be closer to her children and grandchildren. Helene is survived by her two children, Terry Evans and his wife Ellen of North Bend, Oregon, and Kathleen Ayers and her husband Gary of Newberg, Oregon. She is survived by five grandchildren, Eric Evans of Beaverton, Oregon, Rebecca Hval of Portland, Oregon, Brett Gordon of La Canada, California, Chad Gordon of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Robb Gordon of Santa Rita, Guam. She is survived by 9 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by Don Gillam’s 3 children, Con Gillam of Bozeman, MT, Linda Kaholoki of Kapaan, HI, and Tina Lancione of Albuquerque, NM. Helene is survived by her brother Rolon C. “Chuck” Irish and his wife Marcelle of Sacramento, CA and three nephews and a niece in the greater Sacramento area. She was a wonderful wife, mother, and friend, who was loved by all. As her brother, Chuck, aptly put it in his last letter to Helene, she was “God’s model for being everything a good human should be.” Helene’s remains will be buried at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Sacramento at a private family service. Donations may be made in Helene’s memory at: Oregon Humane Society 1067 NE Columbia Blvd. Portland, OR 97211 (503) 285-7722 www.oregonhumane.org or the charity of your choice