Evelyn Ruth Hirst, age 83, passed away on January 28, 2023 after a long illness. Evelyn was born in Syracuse, NY on May 8, 1939 to the late John P. and Bernice F. (Goodwin) Green. She grew up in Ballston Spa and Schenectady, NY where she was a 1956 graduate of Nott Terrace High School. On March 28, 1962, she married Ronald G. Hirst, the love of her life. Theirs was a love story for the ages marked by complete devotion and affection. Together, they raised 3 children; the Rev. Debra L. Hirst Thomas (Daniel, Jr.) of Liverpool, NY, Garry R. Hirst (Kathi Staring) of Verona, NY and Ronald G. Hirst, II (Caryl Wedding) of Vestal, NY. Evelyn had 8 grandchildren; Crystal, Stephen (Lisa), and David Thomas; Brian, Derek, and Zachary Hirst; Susan and Jacob Hirst; 2 great-grandchildren: Alex Thomas and Amelia Hirst, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Evelyn is predeceased by her parents, beloved sister, Marilyn (Green) Stafford and brothers-in-law, Allen Stafford and Donald Hirst.

For more than 60 years of marriage, Evelyn and Ron devoted themselves to each other and to their love of family. They lived in several areas of NYS, including Schenectady, Utica, Saratoga, Verona and the Syracuse area suburbs. For many years, they spent weekends and summers at their camp on Eaton Brook Reservoir where they had many friends. They also had a home in Lakeland, FL where they spent several winters enjoying the sunshine, activities at the clubhouse and making new friends. In later years, Evelyn enjoyed traveling with her husband. This included trips to visit family and friends in Great Britain and Germany, as well as Pennsylvania, Oregon, Florida, Las Vegas and Reno, NV. She also enjoyed going on cruises to the Caribbean, including one in 2012 to celebrate her 50 ^th wedding anniversary with Ron, having a wonderful time despite her dislike of ocean travel, doing so purely out of love for her water-loving husband, a Navy veteran.

Evelyn worked several jobs throughout her working life. In her younger days, she enjoyed modeling hats and operating an elevator for a department store, as well as doing other retail work, but her favorite job came later in life when she worked as a teacher's aide. She especially loved teaching children to read and patiently helping those who needed a little extra attention with their schoolwork. She retired from the VVS school district in 1998.

In her free time, Evelyn loved to spend time sewing and doing various craft projects. She created many beautiful items, most often given as gifts to brighten somebody's day. Her family often turned to her expertise in mending clothing, crafting, and making anything that was needed or desired. A picture, thought or idea often became a reality as she put her skills to work. Evelyn was able to create anything and everything using her skill at her well-used sewing machine, from fancy prom dresses to practical clothing and fun Halloween costumes. Many children were gifted over the years with expertly made Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls and other craft items. She also had a knack for decorating candles with wax designs of her own making, and had an eye for interior decorating and home organization that rivaled any professional. She made decorative wreaths, sewed countless face masks, and crocheted many prayer shawls—all given to anyone who wanted or needed one, and always made with love and perfection.

Evelyn will be remembered most for her love of family, her selfless generosity and giving spirit, her thoughtful way of taking care of others, her expert skill with sewing and crafts, her green thumb with plants, her gift for setting the most beautiful holiday tables, her love of linens, curtains, ironing, and all things related to keeping a lovely and inviting home, and perhaps her most well-known quality--her talkative nature and friendliness that enabled her to strike up a conversation with anyone, as she became instant friends with everyone she met. Evelyn will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, February 3, 2023 from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm at the Maurer Funeral Home Moyers Corners, 3541 State Route 31, Baldwinsville, NY 13027.  A funeral service in celebration of Evelyn's life will take place on Saturday, February 4, 2023 at 11:00 am at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 7444 Buckley Road, North Syracuse 13212, with the Rev. Karen Dimon officiating.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Evelyn's memory may be made to a charitable organization of your choice.

Please sign the funeral home on-line guest book for Evelyn to express your condolences to her family.