Olga Bel Evans lived life to the fullest for 98 years. She was born in New Haven, CT July 12, 1919 to Andrew and Efrasinia Belevich. Shortly after she graduated from St Raphael’s Nursing School, World War II broke out. She and her best friend Fitzie decided to join the Army to help with the war effort. After basic training, they went on for further training to become Army Air Corps Flight Nurses, which turned out to be “the adventure of a lifetime”.
Just before the war ended, Bel met and married the love of her life, Don Evans. When their children were grown; Don and Bel moved from Charlotte to the splendor of the Blue Ridge Mountains, making their home in the village of Blowing Rock, in 1971. After Don died in 1988, Bel continued to live there for another 23 years.

Bel loved people and made friends wherever she went. She kept an immaculate home where everyone was welcomed with a true spirit of hospitality. She enjoyed playing golf, was a fabulous cook, and was an accomplished seamstress/knitter. She delighted in her flower garden and volunteered for community service whenever possible.

As the years passed, Bel moved to Oak Harbor, WA to live closer to her youngest daughter. Assisted Living was a good match for Bel; it afforded her the safety and freedom to stay active. She was quite pleased with how well she adapted to her new home in the Pacific NW. It never ceased to amaze her how beautiful Whidbey Island was with mountains in the distance, beautiful beaches, evergreen trees, and bald eagles soaring overhead.

Olga Bel Evans' joyful heart gave out, August 6, 2017, while taking a nap. She is survived by her children Bob Evans, Deborah (John) Dinger and sister Sonia Dunker. Bel was proud of her four grandchildren, Heather Bowers, Eric Dinger, Meghan Harris, and Madison Evans. She delighted in being a great-grandma to Nolan Evans, Micah and Eliza Dinger, Luke Harris, and would have loved to meet Baby Boy Harris, due mid-September. She was preceded in death by her husband, Don; her daughter, Donna McCorkle and sister, Nadja Donnelly.

The family suggests memorials to St. Mary's of the Hills Episcopal Church (PO Box #14) or Blowing Rock Community Club (PO Box #166) both in Blowing Rock, NC 28605. A memorial service is being planned for the spring of 2018 in Blowing Rock, NC, to celebrate Bel’s long life.

Affiliations

U.S. Army Air Force