Evelyn Mae Shields was born in Groton, Vermont March 25,1935 one of six children of Florence and Ernest Whitehill, growing up on their family hillside farm.  Except for fifth and part of sixth grade at South Ryegate Elementary, Evelyn's schooling was in Groton at both the Grammar and High School where she proudly graduated as Salutatorian in 1953.

Groton Baptist was her home church all her life; singing in the choir, teaching Sunday School, working in Pioneer girls and Vacation Bible School was her joy, "crafts" were her specialty!   In later life she loved to recount how as a teenager her life changed when in 1949 under the ministry of Pastor Herbert Hess she accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her Savior. Always she treasured the Bible she earned from the Bible Memory Association for Scripture memorization.

Groton held her heart, she would live no other place.   Throughout the majority of her life she faithfully attended the town meetings and supported town events, and over the years enjoyed studying both the history of the town and the genealogy of its citizens.

July 22, 1961 Evelyn married Wilson James Shields of Barnet at Groton Baptist, Rev. Guy Kinney, officiating. They had two children, Mark Wilson born December 29,1962 and Miriam Jill, February 25, 1970.

As a homemaker her hands were never idle. She loved berry picking whether blueberries, strawberries or raspberries, always saying "Let me fill just one more bucket"!  Her creativity in sewing went beyond following patterns, the often prize-winning costumes she would come up with year after year for Mark and Miriam to wear in the Fall Foliage Parade were her own creations. Cooking was her forte. Family gatherings slated for Willy and Evelyn's guaranteed a bountiful and delicious spread, and cementing this wonderful cook and dear aunt deep in the hearts of her nieces and nephews.

Over the years Evelyn worked a variety of jobs: before marriage, at Cottage Hospital, at Connor's Footwear in Lisbon then later still at Burndy's in North Haverhill. After the children were grown she found her niche at P&H Truck Stop where she worked for years, making thousands of loaves of specialty breads, pies and assorted baked goods.  The last nineteen years of her life Evelyn very much enjoyed working as a "Senior Companion" to thirty- one older Vermonters in the Groton, Barnet, Wells River area, whom she dearly loved, helping them in their homes in any way they needed...  "my ladies" she affectionately called them.  She was also involved in the Tops Weight Loss program in Town, attaining the rank of "Kop".  Notorious for her love of the holidays, she enjoyed decorating.  Anyone visiting Clarks Landing could see quite literally how she "decked the halls".

Her pride were her children, Mark and wife Lauri in Alaska, retired from the Air Force and Lewy and Miriam, just up the road. Evelyn was so proud of her eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren with one on the way, and was more than happy to share any news she could about them.  She was always happy to have her "little helpers" come to visit every Saturday.

Evelyn loved her sister, Viola Noyes, cherished the happy hours they spent together in person and on the phone. Dear to her heart were the many friends she made over the years.  Her Clarks Landing family especially meant so much to her.  How sorely they and all her extended family will miss her wit, her humor, her loving heart and ever ready smile.

Evelyn is survived by her two children Mark W. and wife Lauri of Eagle River, AK, and Miriam J. Jolley and husband Gene of Groton, VT; eight grandchildren Ariel Croteau and husband Seth, Daniel Jolley, Nathaniel Jolley and wife Brianna, Gabrielle Jolley, Michael Jolley, Rachel Jolley, Nichole Osborn and husband Jayson, and Kimberly Shields; and five great grandchildren Caleb Croteau, Hannah Croteau, Jillian Croteau, Cooper Jolley, and Oliver Osborn ,  along with her two sisters Viola Noyes of Peacham, VT and Millie Richardson of Cornish, NH, and several nieces, and nephews.

Evelyn was proud to have lived her entire life in Groton and died unexpectedly at her home on Friday, January 5, 2018.

Calling hours will be on Tuesday, January 9th from 6 to 8 PM at Ricker Funeral Home, 1 Birch Street, Woodsville, NH.  The memorial service will be on Wednesday, January 10th, at 2 PM at First Baptist Church, 1115 Scott Highway, Groton, VT.  Pastors Dennis Walton and Alan Morrison will co-officiate.  Burial in the spring will be in the Groton Village Cemetery.