Mrs. Eleanor Elizabeth Evans, 93, of Galesburg died at 9:39 AM Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at her home. She was born on July 24, 1929 in Milton, MA to George and Thelma Doyle Brooker. She married Robert L. “Cork” Evans on November 26, 1952 in Galesburg, IL. He died on November 26, 2004. She is survived by a son, Mark Evans of Naperville, IL; a sister, Martha Carlsen of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada; a brother, George Brooker, Jr. of Seattle, WA; two granddaughters, Mrs. Erin (Jared) Surratt of Chillicothe, IL and Miss Lauryn Pearson of Bloomington, IL and two great granddaughters, Addison Elizabeth Surratt and Isabel Jane Surratt, both of Chillicothe, IL. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert “Cork” Evans; her daughter, Laurie A. Pearson; and sister, Barbara Hyde.
Professionally, she was best known as a successful realtor in the community. She frequently sold over a million dollars of property back when homes were not as highly valued as they are today. She began her real estate career with Dick Rozynek Realty and ended her career with Pete Gorham Realty. Early in her professional career she worked at the Hanlon and Ruedig Law Offices and Gale Products, where she met her future husband, Cork. She spoke kindly of the many clients and real estate professional friends she made.
Fondly known as “Bugaba” by her granddaughters and great granddaughters, she fully embraced that role completely. Sleepovers at Bugaba’s were unforgettable, which consisted of everyone laying in her bed and watching TV together while Bugaba brought in snacks and food on her TV tray. Bugaba also made sure that the holidays were always special for her loved ones. She regularly started the “elves” visiting 5 days before Christmas, and her Easter egg hunts provided memories that all her grandchildren will remember forever.
Eleanor enjoyed cooking and baking, which was another way to ensure her family and friends were always provided for. She did this by fulfilling numerous requests for her for potato soup, goulash, sugar cookies and homemade raspberry jam from the raspberry patch in her yard.
Bugaba will always be remembered for her kindness and compassion for others. When she knew you, you were considered family. Anytime anyone in the community’s name was in the paper she would cut out the article, laminate it, and mail it to the person in a card with $2 and handwritten words of encouragement. She was also well-known for frequently visiting her friends, driving them to appointments, and taking them to run errands whenever necessary. If someone needed her help, she was there. Every life Bugaba touched is better for having known her, and the community lost an exceptionally selfless, thoughtful, caring person.
A memorial service will be 11:00 AM Wednesday, November 30, 2022, at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Galesburg Chapel with Mr. Vincent Peters officiating. A memorial visitation will be from 10:00AM to 11:00 AM on Wednesday. Memorials may be made to Galesburg Community Foundation. Online condolences for the family may be left on the funeral home’s website at www.h-p-w.com. Services will be streamed on Facebook Live and can be accessed through the funeral home website.
