Evelyn Walraven

Evelyn Duarte Walraven, 86, of Fort Worth, Texas passed into Heaven peacefully on Monday, March 22, 2021, as loving family and friends lifted her in prayer and while in the care of the amazing team at Brookdale Westover Hills, Claire-Bridge.

Celebration of Life:  10:00 a.m., Wednesday, March 31, 2021, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Fort Worth Stake Center, 5001 Altamesa, Fort Worth, Texas 76133, with a graveside ceremony immediately following at Laurel Land Memorial Park, 7100 Crowley Road, Fort Worth, Texas 76134.  Pallbearers, David Walraven, Ty Walraven, Dee Walraven Taylor Walraven, Jake Walraven, Brady Brown, Bryce Brown, and Justin Johnson.

Evelyn was born March 18, 1935 in Brownsville, Texas.  She was a mother of six children, a devoted wife, grandmother, and great-grandmother to many along with serving the world as a teacher for 50 years.  Evelyn came to Fort Worth as a member of the original faculty of Fort Worth Country Day School where she taught from 1963 to 1971.

A list of other schools where Evelyn taught in Fort Worth, include:  Daggett Montessori, Como Montessori, Angle Montessori, South Hi Mount and 8th Avenue Elementary schools.  In Dallas, Evelyn was on the faculties of Hotchkiss Montessori, George B. Dealey Montessori, Harry Stone Montessori, and in Oklahoma City, Casady School.

Evelyn's 50-year career as an educator began with degrees from Texas A&M and Texas Christian University.  She was also extremely proud of her Montessori training.  She held certificates in both the American and the International Montessori Method of instruction, having completed her training in Bergamo, Italy.

Evelyn was an accomplished artist and musician.  She once played a minor role in the performance of Verdi's Rigoletto at the Metropolitan Opera in New York's Lincoln Center when Luciano Pavarotti was singing the lead role.  Evelyn had a beautiful soprano voice and a million-dollar smile.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest B, Duarte, Sr., and Mary Ella Dorsett Duarte; brother, E.B. Duarte, Jr.; and granddaughter, Jennifer Walraven.

Evelyn is survived by her husband of 57 years, Donald E. Walraven, Sr.; her six devoted children:  three daughters, Don Evelyn Dolin of Scottsdale, Arizona and husband, Rory Dolin; Gens Johnson of Carrollton and husband, Dave Johnson; June Molnoskey of University Park, Texas and husband, Jon Molnoskey; three sons, David Walraven of Arlington, Texas and wife, Maggie Walraven; Taylor Walraven of Midland and wife, Amy Walraven, and Donald, Jr. who resides and works in Austin.  She is also survived by her sister, Ella Mae Najera of Lewisville; grandchildren, Jon Walraven, Donald Walraven, Barry Walraven, Christopher Walraven, Philip Batson, Elizabeth Batson, Benjamin Walraven, Melissa Walraven, Bayleigh Fuller, Coleman Fuller, Presley Shiva, Blaze Dolin, Karie, Taylor Walraven, James Walraven, Jake Walraven, Berkly Brown, Brady Brown, Bryce Brown, Justin Johnson, Maddie Johnson, Hayden Molnoskey, Hudson Molnoskey, and Hartley Molnoskey; great-grandchildren, Nicola Walraven, Daniel Marinovic, James Marinvoic, and multiple others.