Obituary: Evelyn H. Parker

December 4, 1933 – December 21, 2023

December 28, 2023

Evelyn Parker. 1933-2023

Evelyn H. Parker, 90, passed away in the comfort of her home and family on Thursday afternoon, December 21, 2023. Born in Waterbury on December 4, 1933, she was the daughter of the late Erwin A. and Gladys (Gills) Hayes. On October 30, 1952, she married G. Wendell Parker in Waterbury Center. Wendell predeceased Evelyn on May 27, 2018.

Evelyn was a 1952 graduate of Waterbury High School. As a young woman Evelyn went to work for the State of Vermont where she had a long and successful career. She retired as the director of operations for the Vermont Tax Department after more than 30 years of employment. She owned and operated a local diner in Waterbury as well as a flower shop. In 1994 she was elected Town Clerk in Waterbury and she served until 2001. She worked in the family business, G.W. Parker Electric, with her husband Wendell for over 50 years. 

Evelyn was a member of the Blush Hill Country Club of Waterbury; she volunteered her time with the Waterbury Area Senior Center, and she was a member of the Waterbury Select Board (1984-1987). She enjoyed traveling, knitting, puzzles and spending time at her camp in Island Pond. She had a long, active and productive life that was centered around service to her community. Her greatest joy came from spending time with her family.

Evelyn is loved and mourned by her family: daughter Pamela Dalley and her husband Michael of Waterbury Center; her grandchildren, Nicole Merchant and husband Brian of Waterbury Center, Jason Dalley and his wife Sharon of Waterbury; her great-grandchildren Parker Merchant of Waterbury Center, and Connor,  Aiden and Riley Dalley of Waterbury; her great-great-grandson Kayden Merchant; her sister Katrina Durand of Connecticut; as well as special nieces, nephews and extended family. She was predeceased by a great-grandson Taber Merchant, as well as two brothers, Erwin “Red” Hayes and Frank A. Hayes, and three sisters, Pearl Callahan, Estina Wheeler and Frances Bell.

A celebration of Evelyn’s life will be held at the Waterbury Congregational Church on Friday, January 5, at 1 p.m. with a reception to follow in the church dining room. Inurnment will take place at Maple Street Cemetery, Waterbury Center, in the spring. 

For those who wish, memorial gifts would be appreciated to the Taber Merchant Scholarship Fund at Green Mountain Performing Arts, or the Waterbury Area Senior Center, 14 Stowe Street, Waterbury, VT 05676. 

Assisting the family is the Perkins-Parker Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Waterbury. To send online condolences, please visit perkinsparker.com.