Diana C. McEvoy

Diana Carol McEvoy, daughter, mother, wife, grandmother, great-grandmother and small-town activist, departed from this world from complications of neurological dementia/Alzheimer’s on May 29, 2024, at the age of 87.

On October 10, 1936, Diana was born to Michael and Anne Hryhoryszyn, owners of Michael’s School of Dance in downtown Saint Paul, MN. These were the days of live piano music during dance classes. Diana’s feet followed those of her parents’ traditional dance styles of the ‘40s and ‘50s, including tap, ballet and jazz. 

Diana graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy in 1954. She met her first love; Patrick McEvoy and they married in 1956. They raised their family of six daughters in Saint Paul. It was no surprise that dancing remained a part of Diana’s life as she raised her children. She proudly carried on the family tradition of teaching dancing, this time with her mother as Dee-Anne Dance Studio. Her love of dancing and moving to music continued until she could no longer move. Dance was truly a blessing in her life.

After raising their family Diana and Pat retired to the serene surroundings of Comfort Lake in Chisago City, MN in 1985.

Diana explored new interests in her new community. Her passion for the environment emerged. Diana was instrumental in starting the Comfort Lake Association, knocking on one door at a time, encouraging others to join her. Today, the Comfort Lake Association has grown and has become a model for the local area lake associations.

The Lakes Life Care Center (LLCC) also fed her passion for improving the lives of pregnant women and families. She rolled up her sleeves and did what needed to be done: cleaning, fundraising, bookkeeping, office work, and sitting on the board to name a few. Little by little, this center has grown to have more space, consistent hours and services to those who needed it.

Diana's faith was the cornerstone of her life, evident in her service to the Church of Saint Peter in Forest Lake. She dedicated her time to ushering and volunteering, embodying the principles of love and service.

Beyond her activism, Diana worked on her family’s genealogy and history. Proud of her Ukrainian heritage, she took Ukrainian language lessons and traveled with one of her daughters to the home country of her father in 1999. She was also proud of her husband’s Irish heritage and of producing six part-Irish offspring. She traveled with her husband and two of their daughters to Ireland to learn all she could about the emerald isle. Diana has written a full illustrated history of the Hryhoryszyn-McEvoy family going back three generations. She gave each daughter and each grandchild a copy and sent occasional updated pages to all to add to their cherished ring binder books. Diana was known for being a planner extraordinaire and she fostered strong family bonds through meticulously organized reunions and celebrations. Keeping in touch with family was important to her and that was a gift to all.

Diana is survived by her husband, Gerry Gfroerer. She leaves behind a legacy of love and devotion that will be cherished by her daughters, Kathy (Tim) Nelson, Maggie (Minda Garcia) McEvoy, Eileen (Jeff) McCutchen, Elizabeth McEvoy, Anna (Brian) Dey, Mary B. Johnson; grandchildren, Karli (Nick Nummerdor) Nelson, Adam Nelson, Dustin McEvoy, Jaye McEvoy, Michael (Erin) McCutchen, Melissa McCutchen, Thomas McCutchen, Anne Marie McCutchen, Bridget McCutchen, Sean Paul McCutchen, Brianna (Nate) Chartrand, Brittany (Jeramie) Mrozek; Jesse Dey, Jolynn Dey, Andra Johnson, Brien Johnson; great grandchildren, Lucy Nummerdor, Joan McCutchen, Lelia McCutchen, Howie Maggiolo, Julianne Chartrand, Blase Mrozek, Tillie Anne Mrozek; other family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents Michael and Anne Hryhoryszyn; brother Michael Gregory; husbands, Patrick McEvoy and, Dick Gessner; and grandchildren Sarah McCutchen and Francis McCutchen.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 11, 2024 at the Church of Saint Peter,1250 South Shore Drive, Forest Lake. Visitation will be held from 4:00-6:00 p.m., Monday, June 10 at Mattson Funeral Home, 343 North Shore Drive, Forest Lake AND one hour prior to mass at the church (Tuesday, June11). 

Interment at 12:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 12 at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to: Lakes Life Care Center in Forest Lake, Church/School of Saint Peter in Forest Lake, Comfort Lake Association (PO Box 596, Wyoming, MN 55092) or a nonprofit of your choice.