FRIENDSHIP — Evelyn Norma Reed, 82, passed away peacefully April 7, 2014, at Maine Medical Center in Portland. She was born in Bremen on Dec. 29, 1931, to Ashley Genthner Sr. and Clara Leeman.

Evelyn married Philip Reed on Oct. 18, 1949. They built their life together in Friendship and raised their family there. She worked at Sylvania in Waldoboro for a few years before working from home. She was devoted to her family.

Some of Evelyn's favorite pastimes included lawn sales, crossword puzzles, bingo and spending time with her large family. She was a kind and gentle woman, and never swore or raised her voice. She always found the positive in everything and had something nice to say about everyone she met. Evelyn didn't say much, but when she spoke, you listened. She was an angel sent down from heaven.

Evelyn and Phil took on the project of restoring alewife populations in Washington Pond. She used to check the brooks three times a day in the spring to see when the alewives started running. Evelyn was in hopes of increasing the alewife population for future generations of lobster fishermen and their families in the surrounding towns of the area.

Evelyn was predeceased by a daughter, Valerie Simmons; a son, Drew Reed; a grandson, Shane Simmons; and two sisters, Virginia Geel and Marie Andrews.

She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Philip Reed of Friendship; her sons, Mark Reed and his wife, Cynthia, of Friendship, Wade Reed and his wife, Sherry, of Friendship, Daniel Reed of Friendship, Dwayne Reed of Thomaston and Shawn Reed of Friendship; her brother, Ashley Genthner Jr. of Thomaston; her son-in-law, Donald Simmons of Friendship; 15 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren.

A graveside service to celebrate Evelyn's life will be held Saturday, May 3 at 1 p.m. at Brookside Cemetery, Colonel Stairs Road (Finntown Road) in Friendship.

Contributions in Evelyn's memory may be made to the Lloyd Davis Trust, c/o Town of Waldoboro, P.O. Box J, Waldoboro, ME 04572

Arrangements are entrusted to Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Waldoboro.