Obituaries

Our dear friend Evie passed from this life on Dec 28, 2022 in Mercer Island, Washington. She was, as usual, in good spirits and looking forward to the next chance for a fun adventure. She will be sorely missed by her friends, family, and all that knew her. She is survived by her husband Melden B. Suggett, Jr, daughter Leslie Suggett, grandchildren Brigid (Suggett) Graf, Mary Elizabeth Suggett, Kathryn Suggett, Madison (Gorman) Elliott, and Sidney Suggett and her great-grandchildren Mary Henesey Suggett and Alana Graf. She was preceded in death by her parents Marianne and Martin Knox and her son Gregory E. Suggett.

Evelyn Vivian Knoche was born on March 10, 1936 in Breslau, Germany (now Wroclaw, Poland). She was the only, and precious, child of Marianne (Zernik) and Martin Knoche. At just a year old in the Winter of 1937, she fled with her parents to Merano, Italy and then to Holland. They stayed in Amsterdam until 1939 when they moved once again, this time to the US, escaping persecution and fascism from their former homeland. The Knoches “Americanized” their name to Knox and so she became Evelyn Knox until she was married.

Evelyn grew up in Beverly Hills, California, as well as in Delta, Utah: two very different places that were sometimes difficult to reconcile. She had wonderful memories of her time at boarding school in Salt Lake City at St. Mary’s-of-the-Wasatch where she learned Latin, played the violin, and impressed the teachers who worked there. She spoke fondly of riding her horse in the open countryside of central Utah and the sense of freedom it gave her. She attended high school in both states and graduated from Delta High in 1953. Evie went on to the University of Utah where she enjoyed sorority life and studied psychology. She nearly graduated but got bitten by the travel bug and became a flight attendant.

The years Evelyn spent flying were some her happiest. Though she stopped flying in 1963 when she married, she never gave up her love of all things in the airline industry. She proudly flew for Western Airlines and also worked for other companies when Western went on strike. Later, she worked for the Port of Seattle in the First-Class Lounge serving multiple airlines including SAS. Eventually she was hired by Finnair and served as a Ground Host for some years until they closed their office. Her work with Finnair in particular was where she formed important friendships that lasted the rest of her life.

Evie met Mel Suggett, a handsome airline pilot, in 1962 and knew she was in ‘trouble’ the moment she laid eyes on him. They were married in Los Angeles, California on March 5^th 1963 — sharing their wedding anniversary with her parents. Mel and Evie eventually settled in Des Moines, Washington, a location close to the airport with a view of the Puget Sound. They welcomed their first child, Gregory Edward, in February 1966 and their second child, Leslie Anne, in May 1969. Evie thrived as a wife and mother and took to the role as a fun and culture ambassador for the family. Evie is remembered for insisting on the best education for her kids and raising them to keep an international perspective on life’s events.

In her later years she dedicated herself to serving on the Federal Way Symphony Board and took pride in being part of an organization that brought quality performances to the ‘South End.’

We all have so many good memories of Evelyn. She loved warm sunshine, wire-haired dachshunds, martinis and music. Blessed journey, Beloved!

Evelyn will be cremated and placed with her parents at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles, California.