Dorothy A. Evans

Dorothy A. Evans, 85, lifelong resident of Indianapolis, passed away at her home on August 31, 2021 after battling several health issues. Dorothy was born on August 10, 1936 to the late Paul W. Sylvester and Margaret (Carroll) Sylvester Hausser. Raised in the heart of the Holy Cross neighborhood with her siblings, Dorothy grew up in Holy Cross Catholic Church.

Dorothy attended St. Agnes Academy and then graduated from St. Mary’s Academy where she was able to take secretarial classes. After graduating from St. Mary’s Academy, Dorothy was able to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a secretary at Indianapolis Power and Light (IPL) where was chosen during her tenure there to represent IPL on the company float during the 500 Festival Parade in 1958. Dorothy made many lifelong friends at IPL, specifically Sue Williams and Pat Finke who survive. These special friends introduced her to her future husband, Robert “Bob” Evans on a double date to play putt putt. Following her service at IPL, Dorothy was employed at Winchester Village Elementary where she started working in the cafeteria with many of her friends from IPL. Dorothy retired as a secretary at the elementary school after 25 dedicated years of service.

Dorothy was a faithful Catholic; she and her husband, Robert were charter members of St. Barnabas Catholic Church. Dorothy was active in the parish during its early days in 1965 by helping start the school, coaching CYO kickball, coordinating funeral meals, and leading the high school youth ministry alongside her very good friend, the late Dee LaRosa. Dorothy was a devoted parishioner and her church community was an instrumental part of her life.

When not working or volunteering at St. Barnabas, Dorothy enjoyed staying active on her daughter’s softball team if they ever needed a sub; she always hit the ball when she was at bat! A fervent sports fan, Dorothy was always cheering on the Indianapolis Colts or the Purdue Boilermakers. She could easily be found chatting about the results of the most recent Colts game with friends after Monday morning Mass at St. Barnabas, never hesitating to tell someone where she thought her team botched the game.

Family was paramount in Dorothy’s life; she never missed a sporting event that her grandchildren had and was available to support her children in any capacity that she could. Dorothy had a vibrant personality that strangers were drawn to. Her ability to have fun in life was never limited; she loved to go to concerts and even attended one most recently in January of 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. Some of her favorite artists were AJR and Neil Diamond.

Above all, Dorothy was a devoted wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend to all who knew and loved her. Her fun-loving and caring nature in this life will be incredibly missed.

Along with her parents, Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Robert W. Evans, whom she was united in marriage to on July 23, 1960 in Holy Name Catholic Church. Along with her husband, she was also preceded in death by her daughter, Marianne Melton and her siblings, Paul and Jerry Sylvester, and Eileen Tandyk.

Survivors include her children, Terese Frausto and Tim (Bettina) Evans; her grandchildren, Angelina and Michael Frausto, Aleshia (Cody) Nelson, Casey (Breaton) Waltman, Travis, Aaron, and Cody Melton; 5 great grandchildren; and a host of extended family members, loving friends, and fellow St. Barnabas parishoners.

Dorothy’s Life Celebration® Visitation will be held Sunday, September 5, 2021 from 3:00 to 7:00 PM in the O’Riley Funeral Home, 6107 South East Street, Indianapolis. Prior to the celebration of Mass on Monday, September 6, 2021, the rosary will be recited in the Narthex in St. Barnabas Catholic Church at 10:00 AM. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 AM on Monday, September 6, 2021 by Fr. Jim Farrell in St Barnabas Catholic Church, 8300 Rahke Road, Indianapolis. Dorothy will be laid to rest next to Robert on Tuesday, September 7, 2021 at 9:30 AM in Calvary Cemetery, Indianapolis. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Barnabas Catholic Church. Please visit www.ORileyFuneralHome.com to leave an online condolence for the Evans family.