Eloise Swick 'Polly' Evans

Eloise (Polly) Evans passed away peacefully on October 26, 2021, at age 101, ending her lifelong quest for and sharing of knowledge. Polly died at Good Samaritan Assisted Living under the care of Mesilla Valley Hospice and devoted caregivers from Home Instead. Polly was the youngest of five children born to Clarence H. Swick and Hattie May Haight Swick. She was born at home on September 27, 1920, in Capitol Heights, Maryland and grew up there. Polly married the love of her life, Latimer Richard Evans, on August 24, 1942. They were married for 49 years until Latimer's death in August 1991. Polly and Latimer had four children: Carol Lee Sandoval (Ray) of Burien, Washington; Beth Eloise Sells (Jimmy) of Las Cruces; Marget May Hensley (Paul) of Parker, Colorado; and Scott Clifford Evans (Linda) of Port Angeles, Washington. Polly had five grandchildren: Shannon Gutierrez, Chad Sells, Amy Tyler, Kevin Hensley, and Sarah Evans. She also had 8 great grandchildren. Polly received a BS from American University in 1941 and an MS in Organic Chemistry from Purdue University in 1945. In 1950, Polly and Latimer and their two young children moved from Wilmington, Delaware to Las Cruces, New Mexico. Latimer had accepted a position on the faculty of the chemistry department. Moving was quite an adventure as they had both grown up in the Washington D.C. area and they left behind their families on the East coast. They loved the town and the Southwest and remained here the rest of their lives. In addition to raising four children, Polly had a distinguished career. She was a chemistry and physics teacher in the Las Cruces public schools from 1961 to 1973. In 1973, she was one of the founders and the first principal of San Andres (Alternative) High School. She loved working with the students who had been challenged in adjusting to regular public schools and remained there until she retired in 1986. Learning was a lifetime mission for Polly. She delved into any part of the world that was unknown to her. She strove to become knowledgeable in many diverse aspects of our world, from politics to literature to her greatest love, science. Polly continued to have an active life contributing to the community after her retirement. She was on the board of directors of United Way of Southwest New Mexico from 1997 to 2003. She held a number of officer positions, including president, in the League of Women Voters and was active in the Las Cruces Association of Educational Retirees, which she served as president in 2001. Polly was a member of several writers' groups and wrote beautiful poetry, some of which was published in local publications. She played bridge in person and online well into her 90's, often with her son, Scott. Polly left us after a rich and rewarding life. We will miss her very much, but her family, friends, and students will carry part of her with us now that she is no longer here. A celebration of her life is planned for later next year. Donations in Polly's name can be made to Planned Parenthood of New Mexico.