Evelyn N. Laut

Evelyn (Berman) was born in Boston just months before the market crash of 1929. The youngest of 3, her early life was difficult due to family strife and limited resources. She excelled at school and escaped her situation through poetry, and imagination. At summer camp, she was chosen every year for the lead in the camp play. She was a beautiful child and woman.

Due to the frequent stress at home, Evelyn grew up building her dreams from the art and romance of Hollywood films. She gleaned information about how to make a home and to live properly from Good Housekeeping Magazine, Dear Abby and even from Dr. Spock.

In her early 20’s Evelyn married a handsome man and the couple had 3 children. She raised them with tender love and a strong sense of ethics and passed on a love of nature and animals. Her oldest son, Howard, was a Master Plumber. She was not informed when he pre-deceased her in 2018. Her middle child, Laurie, is both a Registered Nurse, and Psychologist. Her youngest, David, has always held a special place in her heart. He is natural born salesman and performer. Currently he is a Captain for The Boston Duck Boats. She was also proud watching her 2 grandsons, Aaron and Ravi, move through higher education and became successful young men.

Evelyn’s personal goals included being a consummate homemaker and mother. She more than succeeded. She wrapped her children in her arms when we cried and she wrapped our lunch sandwiches like a professional gift wrapper every day for school. Every meal she served was planned and filled with love, was nutritionally balanced and artistically presented. She taught herself to sew, to make and to alter clothing, to antique furniture, to repair window sashes, to knit sweaters and even to sand floors. And because she cared so much about what she did, she did each of those things beautifully.

Her childhood was blessed by having a sister, 8 years her senior, who, “fell in love with her” the day she arrived. Helen (aka Henkie), introduced Evelyn to the world of social connection, affection, dance, reading, history and romance. Helen taught her the skills that launched her personal life and her professional career. This close sister bond continued strong into their 90’s until Evelyn, struck by dementia was no longer able to perceive a connection. Her sister understood. She passed just a year ago. Evelyn’s brother also responded to the stress in the family by making community connections that lasted into his 9th decade of life. He became a community faith leader and the glue of his family of 5 children. In retirement, all 3 siblings got together weekly to shmooze and play Rummikub.

Evelyn completed high school and some college. She sought out advanced training in Neurology and Electroencephalography. After studying management and laboratory methodology at Harvard University, she eventually managed a 5 person EEG department at Norwood Hospital. At 66, wishing to live a more luxurious life and to winter in Florida with her sister, she retired from the Boston VA which she felt was the best job she had ever had.

During her last 4 years she had to reside in a memory care apartment and this last year, she transitioned to a nursing home unit. She was a favorite on both units. Everyone loved her reciting poetry by heart in the community space and her easily recalling all the lyrics to hundreds of songs and at times singing them out loud. She dressed well for every occasion with carefully applied lipstick and jewelry. Her social graces endeared her to the staff who went out of their way to please and assist her. Evelyn continued to cherish her outings with her children on weekends. And her sister Helen, even at 96, traveled from Florida 2x a year for a week of reunion, bliss and filial laughter that rang out late into each good night.

A private graveside service will take place on Wednesday, December 30 at 1:00 PM, and will be streamed via Zoom video. Shiva will be observed on Wednesday, December 30 from 7-8 PM, continuing on Saturday, January 1 from 7-8:30 PM via Zoom. You are invited to contact Stanetsky Memorial Chapel at 617-232-9300 for details regarding the Zoom graveside service and Shiva.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Evelyn's memory to Salmon VNA and Hospice, 37 Birch St., Milford, MA 01757 or to Alzheimer's Association, 8180 Greensboro Dr., McLean, VA 22102 or via www.alz.org.

Services under the direction of Stanetsky Memorial Chapels. www.stanetskybrookline.com