Evelyn Candy Setzer, 87, went home to be with Jesus Feb. 4, 2022, at the Fairbanks Pioneer Home. As a child, she was called Evalina. In the 1960s she legally changed her middle name from Faye to Candy and from then on this was the name she went by.
Born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, May 3, 1934, during the Great Depression, tragic circumstances led to the adoption of Evelyn and her two younger sisters to three separate families. Being the oldest child, Candy yearned to find her sisters, searching for nearly 50 years until the final sister, Donna, was found in 1999 when Tennessee adoption records were unsealed. Her adoptive parents, Ben and Doris Driscoll, lived on Happy Valley Farm in Georgia before they moved out west. They settled near Newhall, California, on the MacMilan Ranch in Sand Canyon, where Ben worked as a cattleman.
Evelyn attended William S. Hart High School in Newhall, California. In 1950, at age 16, she married Thomas Glenn Walker. The couple lived on land Tom inherited from his grandfather, Joseph Reynier. Together, they had three children, Debra Lynn, Mary Helen and Thomas “Glenn Jr.”
In 1958 Evelyn moved to Alaska where Fairbanks became her home for most of 63 years. She loved Alaska and was a lifetime member of the Pioneers of Alaska Igloo #8.
In 1983, Evelyn married Quintin Dale Setzer. The couple enjoyed a happy marriage until Dale passed away in 1995. They were active members of Bethel Baptist Church. Together they shared the joys of nurturing Evelyn’s grandchildren and leading them to faith in their Savior, Jesus.
Candy worked as a bookkeeper for some years. Later, she worked as a nurses aide at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital and provided in-home health care in the community. Her patients appreciated how she went beyond basic care showing them love and compassion.
In retirement, Candy enjoyed socializing with other seniors over morning coffee at McDonald’s. It was among these friends she met Bob Brown, a great story teller, and Alaska history buff. They became close companions throughout their final years. Bob was like a father and grandfather to Candy’s family.
Together, they were active members of the Pioneers of Alaska. Bob passed away at his home Nov. 25, 2020. He was 87.
Giving from the heart was Evelyn’s greatest attribute. As a child, she gave her new homemade coat and the clothes she was wearing to a cold little girl at school. She will be remembered for the unconditional love she gave everyone she met. No one got by her without a smile, a kind word and hug.
She was a member of First Presbyterian Church where she had many friends and enjoyed an active social life in her later years. She especially enjoyed FPC’s Silver Tea in November and her craft group. Gardening colorful flowers during Alaska’s long hours of sunlight in summer gave Evelyn great joy. Her family tradition in spring was visiting Anne’s Greenhouse on Mother’s Day. Her family looked forward to cookies and punch then lunch on Ann’s picnic table. Her granddaughters, Dawn and Brooke, never missed a ride on Anne’s coin operated horse.
All of Evelyn’s life she never was without a pet. She adopted and lovingly cared for many dogs and cats needing a good home. Each one was dear to her heart.
The last six years of her life, Candy resided at Fairbanks Pioneer Home where she was a loving friend to staff and residents. Staff at the home often had to remind her it wasn’t her job to nurse the residents. She was actively involved in special activities and entertainment the Pioneer Home provides for residents. Singing with her devoted friend, Nancy Dreydoppel, was her favorite of all.
Candy’s big personality is greatly missed at the home.
Evelyn is survived by her two daughters, Debra Lynn Bush (Thaddeus) and Mary Helen Salter (Fred); grandchildren, Dawn Michelle Cogan (Dan), Brooke Lynnette Loudon (Matt), Michael Andrew Salter and Christy Lynn Behm (Forrest); great-grandchildren, Kaylee Powell (Stephen), Canon Daniel Cogan, Evan Kelly, Ellianna Pauline and Elijah Mathew Loudon; great,-grandchildren, Jonah Frederick and Noah Jerry Behm; great-great-grandchildren, Evalina Grace and Daniel Laurence Powell; birth sister, Donna Anita Brown; sisters by adoption, Betty Ann Karolyi and Jeanie Meyer; and many nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death was her twin brother, John Morris; son, Thomas Glenn Walker, Jr.; husband, Thomas Glenn Walker, Sr.; birth father, Clyde Morris; birth mother, Della Estelle Portillo; adoptive parents, Ben Driscoll and Doris Whitmeyer; husband, Dale Quinten Setzer; sisters, Watty Anne Warney and Rosa Burton; and long-time companion, Robert Brown.
With deepest gratitude, her family gives heartfelt thanks to the staff of the Fairbanks Pioneer Home, Fairbanks Memorial Hospital Wound Care Clinic and Hospice Care of Alaska.
A memorial service to celebrate Candy’s life will be announced in the future. In leu of flowers, contributions can be made to Find Out Free Clinic, Hospice of the Tanana Valley, Pet Pride, or the Fairbanks North Star Borough Animal Shelter.
Published by Daily News-Miner on Mar. 16, 2022.
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