Evelyn Proctor

Evelyn Proctor, 95, passed away on December 12, 2019 at Hospicare in Ithaca, NY. She was peacefully released from several years of struggle with progressive dementia and Parkinson’s disease. Evelyn was born on the Lower East Side of Manhattan to Sadie and Isidore Braff. She was the eldest of three children, predeceased by her brother, Milton Braff and her sister, Renee Goldman.

Despite a difficult life, Evelyn maintained an incredible sense of optimism and could find joy in just about anything. After her mother passed away on her 9th birthday, she spent the remainder or her childhood at the Hebrew Orphan Asylum in Manhattan, NY.  Despite hardships of orphanage life, she remembered it as a positive experience, forming lifelong friendships and memories. It was there that she met her first love at age 11, Isadore “Soupy” Kampel. They were married at 18; however, Soupy died in a plane crash at army training during WWII. Even during her final days, she had a picture of him that she treasured at her bedside. Evelyn finished Nurses Training school and enlisted in the Army as Evelyn Kampel, to honor her late husband.

Evelyn had a long career as a public health nurse in New York City, earning her MSN from NYU. She married the late John Proctor from Ravenna, OH and although they parted ways, they remained friends and shared a daughter together. Evelyn worked hard all of her life. Coming from very little, she made sure to save every penny so that she could enjoy life in the most important ways. She was adventurous, and always generous and kind to the people around her.

Evelyn had a love for many things, and spent as much time as possible dancing, singing, painting, traveling, going to museums, playing tennis, and of course always reading. Most of all, she loved her family and friends very deeply and in them her spirit lives on.

She is survived by her daughter, Lisa Proctor and son-in-law, Joe Lardner of Spencer, NY; grandson, Jesse Lardner of Manhattan, NY; granddaughter, Ruby (Dan) Ristuccia of Easton, MA; great-grandchildren, Violet Evelyn and Asa Jay Ristuccia; nephews, Matthew Goldman (Jeri Weiss), Eric Goldman (Arlene Kahn), David (Lilly) Braff, Joseph Braff; niece, Sarah Braff; and also grand-nephews and grand-nieces.

There will be a graveside service in New Jersey. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Hospicare of Ithaca, or charity of your choice. Evelyn believed in kindness and could almost never pass up the opportunity to help make someone else’s life better.