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There is a saying That goes "As long as you remember someone they will live forever."
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Lynne Evans, the face of the Sunshine Fund, a steadfast figure representing love, caring and support for others, has passed away unexpectedly this weekend. A consummate professional, this educator has touched the lives of thousands of students over the years. The extra attention she would give to each one was always appreciated. Her comments on their written work, and the offer of help extended toward every one of them, will never be forgotten. She did not just go the extra mile; she was there for the entire trip, and the road back.
Lynne had a great impact on the staff of Stuyvesant. Always a fighter for justice and what she believed to be right, Lynne gave her time selflessly for the union, representing staff members on a variety of causes over the years. Always willing to listen, to serve as a sounding board for new ideas, and provide compassionate yet objective responses to our questions and problems, Lynne was a counselor for us all. I would always feel like I was really heard and understood when I met with her. She was totally there for you, for me, her friends, her colleagues, her students, and for her family. She is what students look for and what staff aspire to be, a teacher's teacher.
She will be missed, but never forgotten. She lives on in my heart, and in every soul she has touched over the years. Bravo Lynne Evans, I salute you!
With love and admiration,
Jay Biegelson
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In loving memory...
Of Lynne Evans, my European Literature teacher at Stuyvesant High School, who passed away suddenly on Sunday, April 6th, 2008. Death wasa common topic discussed in our class, concerning ancient Greekmythology; yet her untimely departure from this fleeting, consumingexistence serves only as a reminder to all of us...we all have alimited lifespan, and a time and place to go as well. Whether secularor spiritual, none can deny the truth of the testament: 'every soulshall taste death'. Let us therefore make the most of it, and celebrate those gone, but certainly not forgotten.
In the words of head guidance counselor Jay Biegelson, she was a teacher's teacher. I know this to be true from personal experience and cherished memories, the fondest of which centered around her greeting each student at the door, especially late-comers like myself. She would always inquire as to how my weekend was, what I thought of the literature I hadn't read for the day, and commented frequently in the margins of my reflection journal, despite my preference of amateur graffiti over meaningful prose.
She said I had neat handwriting, and appreciated my sarcasm most of all. I can only smile now, when I recollect her complimenting my permanent goofy grin as I would walk the halls and greet her hurriedly, as the impressionable sophomore I once was.
She was the kind of teacher that didn't yell at students caught sleeping, doodling or otherwise not paying attention. She always ended class saying, 'thank you, ladies and gentlemen'. Of course, she was a classy lady and compassionate educator, having taught and mastered her craft at Stuy for 25 years. I can still recall her classic style vividly: an elegant red cardigan embodied old school charm now diluted in most teachers. If ever I become a teacher, I need only emulate her, and that shall suffice.
Lastly, it was her that instilled the sense of pride as a Stuyvesant High School student in me, during the formative social blooming every teenager goes through. I remember her telling me to 'quit slouching, and walk tall' though I was the shortest in her class.
I only wish I had visited her during office hours or stopped by her third floor classroom for a quick 'hello'. Now that I think about it, I wish I had asked her to sign my yearbook, or taken a picture with her, or even said goodbye at graduation or Alumni Day... still, I remember signing up for European Literature despite an indifference toward classical texts, but by the end of the year, I had grown to love Voltaire's 'Candide' and Euripides' plays of Alcestis and Medea.
The old alma mater lost a legend but the heavens gained an angel. Myself, I have lost a mentor, but will continue to salute the life of Ms. Lynne Evans. It's nothing short of amazing how her gentle, motherly character, even in passing, has softened this cynic's heart. The only redeeming act from one as selfish as me is remembrance.
In closing, she has and will always remain cherished as our favorite humanities teacher; her devotion admired, her warmth appreciated, her virtues imitated. Above all, her memory will live on forever, and through that, so will she.
Rest in peace, Ms. Evans. Thank you for everything.
Farooq Zafar, alumnus [Class of 2007]
former student, E3EL, E4CL European/Classical Literature
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I don't have much to say--I didn't have you as a teacher. But I hope you're reading this, Ms. Evans.
There was a girl in your class--when I was a sophomore. I liked her a lot. I really wanted to talk to her, but I was too shy to. So I would wait outside of your class and make lots of noise, so that she might notice me. I was stupid like that.
You spoke to me one day--out of the blue. I thought you were going to get me in trouble for being so loud. I was about to turn and run away, but you kept talking and talking, and I remember thinking, What is she going on about? She's not even my teacher.
You didn't think I was loud, did you? You just talked to me--I can't remember what we talked about, but I remember it was mildly interesting. I think it was poetry...or was it something else? I'm sorry I can't remember.
All I remember was that I made you laugh. It took a long time, but I did! Now I'm crying, but when me and you laughed, I knew you wouldn't get me in trouble.
A few days later, you let me come into your class, and of course I was loud again, because she was in there, but you didn't kick me out. Oh no! You let me be myself. You let me be my own obstreperous, sit-in-every-seat-shouting-asian-obscenities-so-she'll-look-at-me self, even though the rest of the class was piling in. And when it was time to go, you would throw a gentle look at the clock--which didn't even work--and tilt your head for me to leave.
And I would, only to return the next day.
Why on Earth didn't you kick me out? Clearly you could've. I was loud and obnoxious. You were a teacher of Stuy. Even during my antics, as I bounced around the room trying to get her attention, you sat there watching me with what I thought was a smile of mild amusement--you were definitely amused--but with what I think now was something else.
I think... you knew. Didn't you? And you decided not to get in the way.
Most people wouldn't have done that for a stranger.
Thank you for not being a stranger to me. I miss you, Miss Evans, so very, very much.
-Sayeed Manick
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In loving memory of Ms. Lynne Evans,
I'll never forget her as one of the best teachers at Stuyvesant High School to turn to for any advice and counsel. She was my European Literature teacher during my sophomore year and she was excellent in her craft. She would encourage and nurture our minds in English and writing in general by having us write in our journals. I would be writing about ideas for stories that I was working on, and she would gently prod for more to keep my creative thoughts coming. No matter which subject we wrote on, Ms. Evans would have an open mind about any ideas and have us elaborate on it.
This open mindedness is also reflected in her personality. Ms. Evans would give an ear to anybody who needs it and give helpful advice wherever she thought it might help us. Even in happy times, she would chuckle with us using that sweet laughter of hers. She had a big heart and gave a helping hand to the best of her ability to anyone who needed it. In a way, she was a maternal figure for some, and even possibly a grandmotherly figure for the younger generations currently at Stuyvesant High School.
I will remember your kind face and place it in my fond memories. I'm sorry I won't be seeing you again, especially after you asked me to come and visit you again next break. Death is but another journey we must all take, as Gandalf had stated in the Lord of the Rings: the Return of the King, movie, and we will one day meet again. You will continue to live on in our hearts, and will not be forgotten.
Rest in peace, Ms. Evans, and thanks!
Remembering you always,
Ray Leung
Stuyvesant High School Alumni 2006
Former Student, E3EL
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Ms. Evans was, without a doubt, the best English teacher I have never had. She always let us say whatever we thought about the literature while simultaneously helping us realize the true value of whatever we were reading. Our opinions were always safe and cherished in that class, even if they were different from those of others. Ms. Evans, like other teachers, was someone you could learn from. However, she was one of the few teachers that actually inspired an interest in her subject from many of her students. Her intelligence and manner of teaching inspired a love for literature that had seemed boring or plain before.
Ms. Evans was an astounding person who never radiated anything but optimism and positive emotions. She never got upset with any students because they slept in her class. On the contrary, she became concerned that perhaps they weren't getting enough rest. She was the most selfless, intelligent, and caring person that I have ever met. Those who have had the privilege of having her as a teacher understand what an amazing person she was and how she changed so many students' opinions of both literature and life with her caring and compassionate manner. I have forgotten the many inspirational and wonderful things she had said and I just wish that I could remember more than the titles of the books we had read in her class. But I wish even more that I had spoken to her more often this year, said hello to her in the hallways even when I was rushing not to be late to my next class and not taken her presence for granted this past school year. But I wish the most that she is happy wherever she is right now. It is only when we lose someone that we realize how special and irreplaceable they are to us. Though she is no longer with us, her spirit and memory will forever live in the hearts of those who had the privilege of knowing her.
-Anna Yegiants, former student
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I did not have an easy four years at Stuy. I don't know if I could have gotten through without Ms. Evans.
I had her for European Literature my sophomore year. The class was a welcome low-stress break from the rest of my hectic day. Ms. Evans exuded a sense of calm that made all my troubles seem a little less pressing. I particularly remember her letting me cross stitch in class. As a crafter herself, she understood that I could stitch and fully participate in discussion at the same time. I have other fond memories such as journal time and lining up to have the indecipherable comments on our essays translated. If Ms. Evans were here right now, I would probably tease her about never handing back our Richard III papers.
But my most important time with Ms. Evans wasn't spent in class. During my junior and senior years I spent innumerable free periods in room 327. Sometimes Ms. Evans and I would talk. Our topics of conversation ranged from current events to our plans for the weekend. We shared our joys and worries. Other times we would sit in silent company, me desperately trying to finish my math homework, she grading papers or bubbling in her attendance forms. I often took refuge in her room to take a nap or avoid getting kicked out of the hallway. Always caring for her students, Ms. Evans kept a box of tissues in her desk drawer. She was the first person I went to see when I caught a cold.
Though I wasn't in her class anymore, Ms. Evans was my escape from the world. She was the first person I'd go to when I had a bad day and needed a shoulder to cry on. She would give me a hug and comfort me with her soothing voice. She was always willing to listen to my troubles, but never pressured me to talk. In a way, room 327 was a place I could go for companionship or to be alone. I never had to worry about Ms. Evans judging me; she provided a peaceful oasis within Stuy's turbulent environment.
One of my favorite memories of Ms. Evans was asking her to sign my yearbook at the end of senior year. I opened the book to her picture and noticed that we had independently chosen the same Eleanor Roosevelt quote: "Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people." I don't think we ever discussed Eleanor Roosevelt or mentioned the quote, but clearly the time we spent together had an effect.
Since graduating, I have been back to Stuy a few times. Over fall break, I got to spend a wonderful twenty minutes telling her everything I could about college. Ever conscientious, she gave me a bell schedule to help me plan my day at Stuy. That was Ms. Evans, always trying to think of ways to help. I last visited Stuy in January. As always, I made a mental list of teachers I wanted to visit and consulted the department schedules. There were classes in 327 during her free periods (I can only imagine her disappointment when she first learned of the room's schedule) and I was unable to find her until 9th period. She was teaching, but she excused herself for a minute and came outside to speak to me. We exchanged greetings and she expressed regret that she couldn't spare time to talk, but she had a class to teach. "Well Elaine, it was lovely seeing you. Stop by next time you visit." It will be difficult to go back with her not there.
And so I am left with those words and her message in my year book: Dear Elaine, I enjoyed sharing the vicissitudes of life with you. Be brave and strong, and remain the lovely person that you are. All the best! Lynne Evans.
But she left me with more than just a few words in my yearbook. Ms. Evans had an amazing way of making people feel that they were worthwhile. She taught me to believe in myself and for that I am ever grateful. If I had to describe Ms. Evans in a few words, I'd say she had an acute sense of perception and always put it to the use for the benefit of others. She was endlessly sweet and infinitely patient. Having her as a teacher and friend was a gift. I only wish I had gotten to spend more time with her.
Elaine Lavin
Class of 2007
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I will miss Lynne very much. She was a wonderful women. She was the picture of poise and professionalism. Lynne was a friend and a role model.
We spoke often of yarn and of knitting. I used to be in the room next to hers, and sometimes I would see her typing on an old manual typewriter. Lynne preferred it to the computer. She had style.
Lynne will be missed, and she will be remembered.
Dawn Vollaro
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