Evalyn Nicodemus
Evalyn Hurley Nicodemus, 91, died peacefully on July 16 at her home surrounded by family.
Evalyn was born in Damascus and raised on a 13-acre farm that always held a special place in her heart. In 1944, she graduated from Damascus High School where her love of art was nurtured and encouraged. She was the treasurer of the class of 1944.
She graduated from Frederick Memorial Hospital’s Nurses Training program in 1947. Evalyn worked as a registered nurse in numerous settings including the operating room, hospital and Frederick County Health Department. Following her marriage, Evalyn retired from nursing and settled into her role as mother and homemaker. Though retired from professional nursing, the core values and skills of her chosen profession were never far from her heart. She spent the remainder of her life caring for family members, friends, neighbors and the community. Though she had moved from Damascus, her Damascus family remained dear to her and she spent numerous days “down the country” visiting with and caring for family members.
Evalyn was an active member of Walkersville United Methodist Church: Morning Glory Circle, flower coordinator and a cake lady at the annual church dinner. Her faithful friends in the widows group were cherished friends.
Evalyn participated in many community groups throughout the years including the Walkersville Homemakers, Organic Growers of Frederick County and the Monocacy Quilters.
Always up for artistic adventure, Evalyn enjoyed many art classes with local artists over the years. Watercolor was her preferred medium. Weekends exploring studio tours interspersed with stops for ice cream were a favorite pastime.
She was predeceased by her parents Joseph A. Hurley and Esther M. Hurley, and her husband of 43 years Kent C. Nicodemus Jr. of Walkersville. Evalyn is survived by her sister Sandy (Leroy) Watkins of New Market; her daughters Barbara “Bobbie” N. Denn of Walkersville, Elizabeth “Liz” N. (Ken) Thompson of Thurmont; grandchildren Orin and Callie Denn of Walkersville and Aline and Grant Thompson of Thurmont; sister-in-law Nancy N. Franck of Walkersville; dear cousin Gail Bastian of Damascus and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family sincerely thanks her final caretaking team. Carol Cregger provided kind, patient, and gentle care supporting Evalyn in her social life and helping her to live an involved and dignified life. Sarah Best cared for Evalyn with joy and love that most would reserve for their own grandmother.
The Alzheimer’s Association, the Frederick County Department of Aging and the Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center played an important role in Evalyn’s later years providing support and connection to the arts that Evalyn so loved.
Evalyn donated her body to the Maryland Anatomy Board for medical research. A memorial celebration of her life will be held at 2:00 on September 9, 2017, at Walkersville United Methodist Church, 22 Main St., Walkersville, MD. The memorial service will be followed by an art show and ice cream social.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Walkersville United Methodist Church, 22 Main St, Walkersville, Maryland, 21793; the Alzheimer’s Association, 108 Byte Dr. #103, Frederick, MD 21702; or the Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center, 40 S. Carroll St, Frederick, MD 21701.
