Obituary of Evelyn C. Walsh

Evelyn (Ebsie) McGunnigle Walsh of Bath, NY died Sunday March 8, 2015 at age 96. She was born in Hicksville, NY on July 19, 1918 to the late Stephen and Mary (Leonhardt) McGunnigle. Evelyn lived an amazing life. At the age of 9 she was a witness to Charles Lindbergh's flight from NY to Paris when he flew over her family farm. A graduate of Hicksville High School in 1936, she went on to work on the family farm with her brothers Bill and Fred. Family farms later expanded in 1942 to include potato farms in Avoca, NY. In 1939 she married her husband John William Walsh and in 1965 she and her husband moved to Stony Brook, NY to work in the family greenhouses and farm stands. An avid horse lover, Evelyn owned several Standard Bred horses and raced at major tracks under her farm name of "Green Field Farm". After her husband's passing in 1974 she moved to Bath, NY. She enjoyed canning, taking numerous blue ribbons at the Steuben County, New York State, and Long Island Fairs. She collected playing cards, stamps, and had a vast collection of collectable toys. She looked forward to spending time with her family and playing her favorite card games. Evelyn was a charter member of the Kanona Fire Department, a life long member of the US Trotting Association, and a long time active member of St. Mary's Parish in Bath, NY where she loved to volunteer at the Christmas and Summer Fairs. She is predeceased by her husband John W. Walsh, grandson James Walsh, brothers Edmund, Stephen, and Fredrick McGunnigle and sisters Florence Thoene and Virginia Walsh. She is survived by her sister Rosalie Rottkamp and children John and Suzanne (Chayka) Walsh; James and Kathy Walsh; Arland and Evelyn (Walsh) Hanning, grandchildren Patricia and Chris Stonehouse; Colleen and Steve Van Gelder; Maryellen and Rick Miner, Sean Walsh; Gwen and Jack Wakefield Jr.; John and Crystal Walsh; and Andrew Walsh and Patty Swartwood (fiancé), great-grandchildren Danielle Miner, Robert and Naomi O'Donnell; Melissa O'Donnell, Lillian and Sophia Walsh, and many nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be held at Fagan's Funeral Home in Bath, NY on Friday March 13, 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm. A mass of Christian burial will be held Saturday March 14th at St. Mary's Church Bath, NY at 10am with Father James Jaeger as celebrant, assisted by Deacon Dave LaFortune.