Birth date: May 20, 1920 Death date: Aug 12, 2025
Evelyn Johnston went to her Eternal Rest on Tuesday, August 12, 2025. Evelyn was born, raised and educated in Chicago and married there in 1942. She and her husband, Frank Tarpey, had 3 children; 2 boys and 1 girl, Richard and Bru Read Obituary
My husband’s grandmother Johnny was someone I met later in her life, and I found her absolutely fascinating. Listening to her stories about everything she experienced over more than a hundred years was incredible. Her sharp mind and the way she could remember details from so long ago truly amazed me. My son Casey, her great-grandson, also had the chance to meet her and loved visiting her in Florida. We will cherish those memories forever.
My thoughts are with you, Nancy., as you navigate this loss. I never met your mother, but so enjoyed your stories about her.
Sue H
Aunt Evy is my first, youngest memory. She and I were baking thumbprint cookies together. I was two or so years old. Because I was too short to reach the table, Aunt Evy boosted me up on a kitchen chair, allowed me to make the thumbprints and fill the cookies with assorted jams. So fun.
We continued cooking together, when she and my mom came to visit me in college. My cooking was confined to a one burner, dorm-provided stove and a toaster oven, but in their honor, I made Chicken Kiev and it passed muster.
Evy also took our family on a vacation just after my parents divorced. We camped in a pop-up tent, the four of us and our collie. We went to visit Nancy at gymnastics camp in Michigan where Nancy amazed us with her prowess.
We disagreed on politics but Evy listened to my point of view. I was never going to change her mind nor she mine, but the conversations were meaningful.
The everlasting bond is family memories shared over decades. I'll cherish those. And miss all those stories.
Evelyn liked telling this story from the 1940s. During World War II, Evelyn was in Chicago and her husband, Frank was in the United States Navy. Evelyn was pregnant and trying to keep the family high-end grocery store in business. The store catered to the affluent who lived on Chicago's Gold Coast.
One of the wives of a high ranking naval officer was a customer. When she learned of Evelyn's predicament, she contacted her husband. Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox decided that Frank Tarpey would not be shipped overseas. He came home.
Ms Evelyn loved her Family and I loved making her a poached egg and toast on the weekends. She taught me how to play kings in the corner card game and she won every time. She will be missed and i cherish the time I had with her
