BREWER - Evelyn H. Neff, 79, passed away after a lengthy illness in her hometown of Brewer, Tuesday, March 4, 2014. She was born Feb. 12, 1935, in Bangor, the daughter of Elbridge and Anna (Somers) Hamm of Brewer.

Evelyn graduated from Brewer High School in 1953, where she excelled as a varsity basketball and softball player. After her marriage in 1956 she went on to earn her Nursing degree from Eastern Maine General Hospital's School of Nursing in 1960. She practiced as a pediatrics and office nurse in Bangor until 1968, when she embraced her role as full time mom. She returned to work in the office of Glaster & Springer with close friend Pat Blake and retired for health reasons in 2000 after 10 years as a receptionist at the Brewer Vet Clinic, where she enjoyed greeting people and their pets. She started every day with a cup of coffee and the Bangor Daily News crossword, enjoyed reading her "funny books" (romance novels), puzzles, gardening, cooking, as well as sewing and knitting for family members. She was ever vigilant about keeping an eye on the Washington St. neighborhood she was part of for more than 40 years. A huge sports fan, she loved following the Boston Red Sox, New York Giants and the New England Patriots (when they weren't playing the Giants), and whoever was playing against the New York Yankees. The family would like to thank the ICU staff at St. Joseph's Hospital for the loving care given to Evelyn.

Evelyn is survived by her children, Andrew Mark Neff of Brewer and Martha Ellen Ward (Neff) of Bangor; son-in-law, Christopher A. Ward; beloved grandchildren who she cherished with all her heart, Megan Lee Ward and Edward Jeffrey Ward; two brothers and one sister, Eugene H. Hamm and his wife, Pamela (Spellman), of Bangor, Edward S. Hamm and his wife, Bonnie Ann (Redman), of Bangor, and Kathleen C. Wade (Hamm) and her husband, George, of Newport News, Va.; a special sister-in-law, (DeeDee), wife of Elbridge M. Hamm Jr., of Leesburg, Fla.; a special aunt, Vera Green of Grand Manan Island, New Brunswick; a special sister-in-law, Janice Winchester; many cousins, nieces and nephews; best friend since childhood, Judith Adams (Walls) and husband, Robert Adams; and former spouse, Donald A. Neff. Evelyn was predeceased by her parents and older brothers, Elbridge M. Hamm Jr. and Charles E. Hamm.