On the morning of March 23rd 2020, Claudia Rose (Evanson) Healy passed away in Penfield, New York at the age of 87. Claudia was the daughter of Henry and Rose Evanson and sister of John Clark, Claude “Babe” Clark, Walter “Bud” Clark, Cynthia Evanson, and Carolyn (Evanson) McCollister.
Former wife of Richard G. Rogers and Robert W. Healy. She is survived by her 5 children: Pamela (Rogers) Byrnes of Penfield; Rose Rogers-Wells of Brownfield, Maine; Richard C. Rogers of Orchard Park; Robert H. Healy of Lockport; and John Healy of Hampton, Virginia. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
Born in Stoneham, Massachusetts Claudia spent her formative years in Norwood, where she developed her distinctive New England accent and lifelong friendships from what she frequently recalled as the best years of her life. She often spoke fondly of her childhood playing in the woods and fields around her home, picking wild berries with her girlfriends and selling them to neighbors so they could earn enough money to buy candy or enjoy a movie. It was during that time spent outdoors that she learned about the trees, flowers and birds around her; something she shared with her children. Her parents moved the family to Belchertown after WWII, when she was 13, to be closer to family.
When she was 18 she married Richard (Dick) Rogers, a Veteran of WWII and member of the Navy. They lived on several Navy bases along the East Coast and had three children; Pam, Rose and Rich. After their divorce she returned to stay with her parents in Springfield, Mass. There she met Robert (Bob) Healy. They moved to Buffalo, New York and were married while he attended Graduate school, having two children together; Rob and John.
Claudia went to work first in the 1960s as a nurse’s aide and then went to school with her daughters to become a LPN and later a RN. She worked in several hospitals around the city of Buffalo. Her attention to detail, unwillingness to compromise safety, and focus on proper patient care earned her the nickname “Sarge” from many of her coworkers, and those traits carried through to her time at home with family as well.
After being in the Buffalo area for over 40 years she moved to Hampton, Virginia to escape the winters. She enjoyed the longer blooming season for flowers but stole back to Western New York every summer to get a respite from the heat and be with more of the family. Her last years were spent back up North enabling her to be around her great grandchildren.
Her hobbies were gardening, needlework and baking pies. Claudia enjoyed cooking and taught all of her children how to prepare a proper meal. It wasn’t a proper dinner if there wasn’t a green and yellow or orange vegetable on your plate. She loved to bake your favorite pie–what was so special about it; it didn’t have to be for a special occasion. It was just one of her ways of showing her love to you.
These traits extended into hosting large gatherings of family and friends at her home throughout her life. Enlisting the children and grandchildren in prep work enabled parties of 20-40 guests routinely, and her favorite holiday was always Thanksgiving. It brought all of her passions together, from seasonal blooms decorating the tables, myriad vegetables and all the trimmings for supper, a plethora of pies for dessert, and loved ones overflowing into every room. Always the heart of any gathering, Claudia is missed deeply by all who knew her, and will be remembered for her fiery spirit, quick wit, and endless care for those around her.
I would like to offer my deepest sympathy to all of Claudia’s family and friends. She has been a steadfast presence in the life of my family for more than 50 years. Along with her formidable “take charge” image and willingness to speak frankly, I will fondly remember her quieter side. When our three children were small, she kindly offered to take us on a long drive from Buffalo to Massachusetts. She was extremely generous in her praise and encouragement to the young mom I was. During a visit she made to us a few years ago she could not have been more gracious, going as far as to ask me for my dessert recipe-she, the Queen of desserts! In spite of all manner of changes over the years, she has been a faithful friend. May peace be upon her soul forever.
It is Easter today, our first holiday without my mother. This holiday will feel extra lonely because not only will we miss her, we can’t gather as a family and do what she enjoyed most about holidays; family gathering and feeding her family. We miss you very much mom. But whenever the family gathers you will be remembered.
John and Rob and Family,
So sorry to hear of your loss. Great memories of your Mom will live with you forever ! I remember at your house on LaSalle she would put slices of cheese on a slice of bread and bake it in the oven . MMM that was so good. the cheese would pop up. Your in our Prayers.
God Bless,
Jim & Donna Banas & family.