Evelyn was born Oct. 30, 1930 in Oakdale, California, the youngest child of William and Lilly Fahey, pioneers of Stanislaus County. She was a life-long member of Saint Mary’s Catholic Church where she was a member of The Daughters of the Golden West and Helping Hands. Evelyn was a founding board member of the Oakdale High School Sports Booster Club, serving for seven years. During World War II, while her brothers were in the service, Evelyn as a 12-year-old, became her father’s top hand in the family cattle ranch in Warnerville. She was also a gifted artist, painting and drawing many scenes of ranch life, especially, horses.
Evelyn was proud of her Irish heritage and did extensive research into her grandparents’ migration from Ireland to America in 1851. In 1853, her grandfather came to Tuolumne County to mine gold and with the assistance of Evelyn’s father, William, and his brother, John, became successful cattle ranchers in Tuolumne and Stanislaus Counties. She also traveled to Deer Isle, Maine to meet with local historians to obtain information dating to the 1600’s pertaining to her mother’s family. In 1956, Evelyn married Dale Clipper and devoted the rest of her life to family and the needs of others. Her outgoing personality made her a favorite sister, aunt, cousin, friend and above all else, a loving mother and wife. Her mission in life was to make others happy and the world a better place. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Lilly Fahey; brothers, Robert, George, David, Allison and son, Michael. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Dale; daughter, Sharon Vaughn (John); sons, Steve (Barri), Greg. Grandchildren; Heather Panella, Alan, and Philip Vaughn; Fallon and Will Clipper, and six great-grandchildren.
The family wishes to thank Laura Allmaras, and the entire staff at Astoria Senior Living for all their care, love and kindness they gave to Evelyn. Services for Evelyn will be as follows: Rosary - Monday, May 1 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Oakdale Memorial Chapel, 830 West F Street, Oakdale Ca. 95361; Mass - Tuesday, May 2, 11 a.m. St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 89 North Oak Avenue, Oakdale, Ca. 95361.
Donations may be sent to the following charities: Helping Hands - Saint Mary’s Church; Saint Mary’s Building Fund; Hospice.
The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader
April 26, 2017