Evelyn B. (DeLong) Bradley, 89
Evelyn B. (DeLong) Bradley passed from this life in the early morning hours of April 6, 2007, at the Kalispell Regional Medical Center after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born March 10, 1917, in Waite, Maine.
She met her life's partner, Kelsey Bradley, at the USO in Eastport, Maine, where he was stationed as a Sea Bee during World War II. They were married Aug. 15, 1948 in Waite, at her parent's home and honeymooned in Quebec. Kelsey then brought his war bride back to Kalispell, where they resided and remained life companions until his death in 1998.
Kelsey and Evelyn enjoyed each other's company in numerous outdoor activities, such as fishing, and family picnics and gatherings. She even learned to cross-country ski so she could be with him while he was ice fishing.
Evelyn was an active and faithful member of the Methodist Church and participated in numerous church activities.
She was an avid bowler and bowled until the age of 86 and quit only then, when the bowling alley burned to the ground. She also loved her quiet times while gardening, walking, painting and reading.
After losing her soul mate, Evelyn surrounded herself with many friends who enjoyed activities such as luncheons, playing cards and games, attending music concerts, and going to movies and the Bigfork Playhouse.
She was a very spiritual person, a wonderful friend and neighbor, and will be missed by all!
She was preceded in death by her parents, David and Ethel DeLong; brother, Charles DeLong; and sister, Claire (DeLong) Pierce.
She is survived by her sister, Lois, and husband, Oric O'Brien, of Fort Myers, Fla.; sister Muriel, and husband, George Dion, and nephew, Ritchie Dion, all of Berlin, N.H.; nephews, Steven Dion of Maine, Charles Pierce, Richard Pierce and Terry Pierce, and niece, Donna (Pierce) and husband, Richard Lewia, all of Maine; sister-in-law, Velma Bradley; nieces, Joan (Bradley) and husband, Bryan Stahlberg, and Diane (Bradley) and husband, Frank Pelech, all of Kalispell; nephew, David Bradley, of Missoula; niece, Janis (Bradley) and husband, Bryan Marshall, of Pennsylvania; and numerous grandnieces and grandnephews.
A memorial service for Evelyn will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 12, at the Epworth Methodist Church, 329 Second Ave. E., in Kalispell, with a luncheon and gathering of friends and family afterward.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made in Evelyn's name to Hospice, 175 Commons Loop, Suite 100, Kalispell, MT 59901.
Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.