Evelyn Jean Gillespie

Evelyn J. Gillespie

Evelyn Gillespie was born on August 19, 1926 in Long Beach, CA to Joseph K. Grove and Helen Grove at Seaside Memorial Hospital. When Evelyn was 2 years old, she suffered serious burns to her body from fireworks which set her dress on fire.  She spent several months in the hospital recovering from this injury. Evelyn moved on in life and learned to play the accordion.

Evelyn attended public schools in the Long Beach Unified School district and graduated from Long Beach Poly High School in 1943. After High School Evelyn went to work at the Ford plant on Terminal Island, CA where she met her future husband, Larry (Lawrence) Gillespie who was a member of the Army Air Corp. Mr. Gillespie was sent to Iceland for a tour of duty, but still managed to send money to Evelyn each month which she saved until his discharge in 1945. Evelyn and Larry were married on March 11, 1946, and were happily married for 48 years, prior to Larry passing on June 9th, 1994.

Evelyn was an avid Golfer, being a member of the Little Rec Women Club and the Heartwell Women Club. She golfed twice a week with her foursome and loved to stay after and play cards with the ladies.

Evelyn loved her home of 75 years in East Long Beach. She loved to sit on her porch and talk to the neighbors as they walked by. In April 2022 Evelyn fell and had to move into an assisted living facility where she spent the rest of her life. Evelyn passed peacefully on October 4, 2024. She was preceded in death by her husband Lawrence Gillespie, her daughters Linda Gillespie, and Catherine Gillespie Walker. She is survived by her son Ronald Gillespie, 6 Grandkids, and 16 Great Grandkids. Gravesite service and interment will be at Forest Lawn, Cypress on October 29, 2024