Obituary of Evelyn D. Cotten

Evelyn Doris Brewer, was born on December 11, 1932, in the Bronx, New York. She was the daughter of Thomas and May Brewer. The youngest of three siblings, Evelyn was predeceased by her brother Thomas and sister Hazel. Evelyn attended and graduated with Honors from Walton High School in the Bronx. At Walton, Evelyn enjoyed singing with the choir and was an active member of the Luther League. She obtained a Bachelor’s of Arts degree from New York University, majoring in Psychology and Geology. Evelyn worked in the Personnel Department of the Girl Scouts of America in NYC immediately following graduation from NYU, interviewing candidates for Girl Scout executives from all across the United States. Evelyn had many interests. She was passionate about hiking, camping, rock climbing, boating and caving. She served as a leader of the Long Island Group of the Sierra Club and worked with the Atlantic (NYS) Chapter as well. She was also a trip leader for the Metropolitan Intercollegiate Outing Club Association for many years. Her love for nature and wildlife, often led her on college caving expeditions, in fact she met her husband while on one of those trips, spelunking in Carpenters Cave, in Easton, PA. Donald pulled her from a muddy cave entrance and never let go since. Donald and Evelyn were married in 1954, at the Uniondale Methodist Church in Uniondale, Long Island. They were married by local preacher and hiking friend Joe Gilbert. Upon marriage the couple first lived in Brooklyn, Manhattan and Riverdale, before settling in Bayville, Long Island. After moving to Bayville, Evelyn became active in the Parent’s Council, serving as its President for several years, while raising her children. From there, Evelyn was elected six times and served on the Locust Valley School Board for eighteen years, ten of which as Board President. During her long tenure she strove to improve the quality of education while overseeing the budget and saving taxpayers money. Evelyn also spent much of the last three decades dedicated to supporting the Democratic Party in Nassau County, specifically on the North Shore in Bayville, Locust Valley and Centre Island, as a Zone Leader. As Zone Leader she played a pivotal role in the selection of strong candidates for local and statewide offices. For 53 years, she was the beloved wife of Donald E. Cotten, and mother of Glenn and wife Susan, Clifford and wife Yi, and Forest. Evelyn was the Grandmother of Brian, Shailyn, Kevin, Katherine, Ian, Attelia and Hai Chen Cotten. Evelyn and Donald were world travelers having traversed most of Europe, North and South America, China, New Zealand, Australia, the Baltics and Russia. Although they traveled through much of the world, Ireland, Italy and especially Switzerland, were her favorites. Evelyn will be missed by all. www.oysterbayfuneralhome.com