Obituary of Evelyn Selma Cowdrey

Evelyn Selma (Gardell) Cowdrey, age 92, passed away on Thursday, December 27, 2019 in Melbourne, FL. She was born December 8, 1926 in Chicago, IL to Emil and Thyra Gardell. She was a first generation American. Her family came to America from Sweden when her mother was pregnant with her. Her siblings were all born in Sweden. She lived most of her life in the Chicagoland area as well as Portland, Oregon area- Atlanta, Georgia area – Rockford, IL – Baltimore, MD area – The Villages, FL and finally settled in Melbourne, FL in 2015. She was a fun, loving woman who enjoyed life. Most of her working days were spent doing office type work. She retired in 2000. Evelyn loved to read, watch movies (especially the old ones with the dreamy movie stars), do crossword puzzles as well as travel. She was a very independent woman and didn’t mind traveling alone but preferred to do it with others. One of her favorite trips was back to her family’s homeland in Sweden with her sisters and daughter. She served as a treasurer for her condo association in Illinois, was on the board of her church and loved teaching the little children. Children always made her smile and she loved spending time with them. Evelyn is survived by her son, Paul Cowdrey and his wife Belinda of Viera, FL; 4 grandchildren – Jared (Bethany) Cowdrey of Edmond, OK, Bradley (Amy) Cowdrey of Searcy, AR, Jennifer (Bill) Crowley of Leland, NC, Billy (Jeanne) Johnson of Abingdon, MD; 5 great grandchildren and 3 great, great grandchildren. She also had many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her first husband, Thomas Cowdrey; daughter, Susan Johnson; son in law, Tom Johnson; 2 sisters, Elsie Burtard and Inga Mosher and 2 brothers, George and Harry Gardell.