Obituary of M. Evelyn Steen

Evelyn Steen formerly of 1009 West Sullivan and Eden Heights, passed away Friday, Sept. 5, 2014 in the Pines Health & Rehabilitation Center in Olean following a short illness. Evelyn was born Sept. 23, 1918 in Peterboro, Ontario, Canada and was a daughter of George and Alice Evelyn Knox Weir. On March 28, 1942 in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, she married W. Irwin Steen, who predeceased her on Dec. 14, 1992. Evelyn moved to Belfast in 1948 and then to North Cuba in 1949. While in Cuba she worked as a Nurses Aid at Cuba Memorial Hospital. She then went to work in Cuba Central School first in the Cafeteria and then in the Business Office until her retirement in 1983. Evelyn moved to Olean in 1985. In 2010, she moved to Eden Heights. Evelyn was a former member of the Cuba United Methodist Church and she attended the Olean Community Church. She volunteered at Olean General Hospital for a number of years and was also a Volunteer Usher at the Regina A. Quick Arts Theatre at St. Bonaventure University. Evelyn was a member of the Olean Senior League where she held several offices including president. She was also formerly a member and treasurer of the McKee Chapter #212 of the Order of the Eastern Star, Cuba, where she was a Past Matron and Grand Representative of British Columbia near the Grand Chapter of New York. Evelyn will be remembered by her family as extraordinarily generous, gracious, and kind, who by example espoused traditional moral virtues. She overcame several severe health problems late in life with a resilience and determination that impressed all those who know her. Evelyn enjoyed knitting gifts for family and friends, and taught them some skills that are becoming a lost art. Surviving Evelyn are four children, Jim (Cheryl) Steen of Dayton, Ohio, Randy (Cathy) Steen of Chugiak, Alaska, Tom (Jeanne) Steen of Olean, and Mary Naud of Longmont, Colorado; four grandchildren, Andrea Steen, Matthew Steen, Barb Clausen and Ben Searl; and three great grandchildren, Addison, Colton and Raelyn Clausen. Friends will be received at the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc. #646 E. State Street Olean, New York 14760, Tuesday, September 16, 2014 from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm, at which time a Memorial Service will be held. The Rev. Bryan Garrett, Pastor of the Olean Community Church, will officiate. Burial will be in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Olean General Hospital Foundation, #515 Main Street, Olean, New York 14760 or to the Olean Community Church #145 South 26th Street, Olean, New York 14760. Online condolences may be made by clicking on the button above.