Enjoyed the outdoors, loved horses and enjoyed gardening

DARBY, MT — Dr. Patricia J. Evans of Darby, Montana passed away after a long illness. She was born in Nutley, NJ on June 1, 1946 and died on Tuesday, December 31. She was the daughter of Raymond H. Evans and Jean P. Cassidy Evans, both deceased.

Pat grew up in Melrose and graduated as valedictorian from St. Mary’s High School where she was active in sports and was a YMCA lifeguard and Water Safety Instructor. She attended Loyola University in Chicago, IL and transferred to Northern Illinois University in DeKalb where she earned a BS in biology in 1969. She earned a Medical Doctor degree (MD) from the University of Illinois, Chicago in 1973. She continued her medical training completing an Internship at Cook County Hospital and an Internal Medicine Residency at Rush University Medical Center, Chicago. She was board certified in both Internal Medicine and Emergency Medicine. Dr. Evans had a long and productive medical career practicing in Kankakee, IL, Hailey, ID, Kalispell, MT and Darby, MT. In Darby she practiced at the North Star Medical Clinic. Due to illness, she resigned from her practice and took a medical retirement.

Pat enjoyed the outdoors and frequently hiked and hunted with her dogs. She loved horses, was a voracious reader, enjoyed gardening and nature. She lived in Darby for many years with her spouse Melissa who has lovingly cared for her during this challenging time. She will be remembered for her keen intelligence, her persistent determination, her desire to do the right thing even when it was hard to do, her dedicated medical service to the sick and injured and her love for Melissa and her family.

She is survived by her loving spouse Melissa Bryant and her nine siblings: Raymond Jr. (deceased); Jo Evans of Northwood, NH; Paul Evans (Roxanne) of Salem, OR; John Evans (deceased); Sheila Evans Klimek of Dracut; Nancy Evans (deceased); Cathy Evans of Sutton; Joyce Evans of Gloucester; and Richard Evans (Jennifer) of Leominster.

Dr. Evans has decided not to have a public funeral service and will have a private remembrance service to scatter her ashes in the place that she loved. Condolences may be left for the family at dalyleachchapel.com.