Obituary of Evangeline Maria Nelson

Evangeline Nelson, a Palo Alto resident, passed away on March 13, 2017 at Stanford Hospital with her husband Eric at her side. She was born in Hondo, Texas on July 7, 1935 to Juanita and Juan Aguaristi. Raised by her aunt and uncle, Gabriel and Maria Salazar, Eve grew up in Stockton, CA. and attended St. Agnes Grammar School. After a short time from 1947 to 1949 in Santa Cruz, the family moved to San Jose where Eve attended St. Joseph's school, and then graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1953.

With her father's passing, Eve worked in the family owned drug store until she went to work for Thrifty Drug Stores in 1961. This began a 54 year career with Thrifty Drug Stores and its successor companies, retiring from Rite Aid in 2015. Over the years she worked on the inventory team and as a pharmacy, photo, and sales clerk. Eve met her husband Eric, a Thrifty Drug Store pharmacist in 1983, and they were married August 22, 1992. Together they lived in Gilroy, then Ferndale, CA. from 1986-1993, then again in Gilroy until 1997, when they bought their home in Palo Alto, Eric's hometown.

After her aunt's passing, Eve felt that she was alone. Then, at the age of 44, a family friend introduced her to a family of 5 full siblings in San Jose, and her living mother and 4 half siblings in Michigan. After meeting her San Jose family, she flew to Michigan and met her mother and half siblings on July 6, 1979. Outgoing, fun to be with, Eve always enjoyed a great party or family gathering.

Eve loved to travel and with Eric explored many U.S. states and their national parks, much of Europe, Mexico, and took many cruises. Together, they made five trips to Germany, driving over 11,000 miles throughout. She was a member of the Palo Alto First United Methodist Church and sang in the Chancel Choir for 16 years, right up until her passing.

Eve is survived by her husband, Eric, her brothers Jose (Consuelo) and Stephan of San Jose, Joe (Gerry), Martin (Elida) and sister Lenore of Saginaw, MI. She also leaves behind in-laws Paul (June) Nelson, George (Vickie) Nelson, and Diane Eatherton, along with numerous nieces, nephews, grand nieces, and grand nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 pm on Tuesday, March 21, at the First United Methodist Church, 625 Hamilton Ave, Palo Alto. Burial will follow at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, March 22 at Belmont Memorial Park in Fresno, CA. In lieu of flowers, donations in Eve's honor may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Stanford Hospital cardiology department.




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