Evelyn Coufal

Evelyn Coufal, age 92, died Wednesday, March 23, 2005 in her home in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Born on October 20, 1912 in Dwight, Nebraska, the nearby town of York became her permanent home, when the family later moved to that farming center. Graduating from high school in 1929, she embarked on a secretarial career. In 1946 Evelyn and her sister, the late Edna C. Ryan, joined the foreign service, and were posted to the then U.S. Legation, in Helsinki, Finland, where Evelyn became the chief of mission's secretary. Upon completion of her assignment in Finland, Evelyn returned to York, where she earned a BA degree from York College. She then moved to Washington, where she enrolled in the library science school of Catholic University. Having been awarded an MA degree by that school, she applied to the CIA for a position as a librarian, and was accepted in that capacity. After sixteen years of service in the Agency, upon her retirement Evelyn was accorded a Certificate of Distinction by the then director of CIA, Richard Helms. In 1957 she had been elected a member of the International Library Science Honor Fraternity.

Upon her retirement in 1972, Evelyn returned to her hometown, where, as a member of the York Library Corporation, she helped see to completion the Kilgore Memorial Library. During those years she also served as a volunteer in the York hospital. In 2003 she finally left York for Chevy Chase, where she took up residence with her sister and brother-in-law. A series of steadily weakening illnesses led to her death on March 23rd.

Evelyn was the loving sister of the late Edna C. Ryan; dear sister-in-law of Edward Ryan; devoted aunt of Cordelia Chamberlin; beloved great-aunt of Ryan Garms and Edward Chamberlin. Memorial Services will be held at Joseph Gawler's Sons, Inc., 5130 Wisconsin Ave., NW Washington, DC on Monday March 28, 2005 at 11 AM. Memorial contributions may be made in her name to Save the Children, 54 Wilton Re., Westport, CT 06880.