Evelyn F. Slater

Evelyn Fey Slater, age 97, of Indianapolis, IN, died peacefully December 31, 2013. Evelyn was born in Webster Co., NE on September 9, 1916 and grew up on her family’s farm as the youngest of six children to Edward and Eva Gant Fey. She was a graduate of Grade School District #70 and Red Cloud High School in NE, before receiving her BA from Hiram College in OH. After college, Evelyn worked for the United Christian Missionary Society in Indianapolis, while her family farmed in nearby Rushville. While visiting her sister, Lois, in Washington DC, Evelyn met her future husband of 63 years, Kenneth Burton Slater, who was then the 1st Trumpet in the “President’s Own” US Marine Band. After marrying in 1942, Kenneth and Evelyn lived in Washington DC, Kensington and Hagerstown, MD and travelled extensively with their special kitties, until their return to Indianapolis in 1997. Evelyn loved working in our Nation’s capital. Her most rewarding work experiences were as Assistant to US Senator Leverett Saltonstall (Massachusetts); then, as Executive Secretary to US Senator Charles Mathias, Jr. (Maryland), where she worked until her retirement after 28 years in Federal Government service. Evelyn was a member of many organizations, including the O.E.S. Federal Chapter 38, Washington DC; Washington National Cathedral Assoc.; Webster County Museum & Red Cloud Historical Museum; Washington County Museum of Fine Arts; National Assoc. of Retired Federal Employees; and the White House Historical Assoc. Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth; their beloved “Fluffy”; her parents; her 2 brothers--Dr. Harold E. Fey and Maurice V. Fey; her 3 sisters--Mildred Fey Smith, Ethel Lois Fey, Edna Letha Fey; and nephews--Russell C. Fey, Harold D. Smith, Gordon Fey, and Weldon Smith. Evelyn is survived by nieces--Dayle Smith Niblack, of Spearfish, SD, Constance Fey Thullen of Tucson, AZ, and Genevieve Smith of Hillsboro, OR; and extended family—God Daughter Roberta Chapman and her husband Robert Chapman of The Villages, FL. Evelyn is also survived by many Great Nieces, Great Nephews, Great-Great Nieces, Great-Great Nephews and even a Great-Great-Great Niece! Evelyn was a member of the Northwood Christian Church, 4550 N. Central Ave., Indianapolis, IN where the funeral will be held at 11 AM Saturday, January 11, 2014, with Rev. Ted Nottingham presiding. Visitation will take place immediately prior to the funeral from 10-11 am. Entombment will follow in the East Hill Shrine Mausoleum in Rushville. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children (3351 Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19140); the American Bandmaster Association Research Library (The University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742); the Northwood Christian Church; or the Washington National Cathedral (3101 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016).

Tributes

Evelyn F. Slater

September 9, 1916 - December 31, 2013