Evelyn Lucero

Evelyn was born in Los Angeles on February 26, 1945, the only one in her family to be born in California. The rest of her family was born in Northern New Mexico, near Taos. She was the youngest of seven daughters. Her father passed away when she was six years old. Her mother went to work to support the girls. She learned the value of hard work and the importance of a good education so off to college she went. She earned a BA in History, a minor in Geography then a M.S. in School Counseling, a counseling credential and an administrative credential.

She worked in LAUSD for 35 years. She served as an administrator for 25 years, eleven of those as a secondary principal. Evelyn became known as a principal capable of turning schools around instructionally and discipline wise. She brought two instructional systems to the district-the "House System" as well as the Coalition of Essential Schools. She was asked to speak nation-wide, interviewed by President Clinton's Transition Team and shadowed by Secretary of Education, Lamar Alexander. Brown University published an 18 page article she wrote on how she turned around Hollenbeck Junior High in East Los Angeles. Those years were the most rewarding seven years of her career, but also difficult years. It took everything she was and all she had learned to be successful. She was named one of 21 Thompson Fellows, principals nationwide known for their exceptional work in implementing instructional reforms.
Upon retirement she took up water color painting. Among her other hobbies were gardening and interior design. She also joined a philanthropic organization called THE GROUP which raises scholarship funds for Otis College of Art and Design, serving as president for four years. THE GROUP gives Otis over $50,000 each year.

Evelyn also took up lawn bowling. She served as the Beverly Hills Lawn Bowling Club secretary and worked to insure that Beverly Hills provided all visitors and competitors with a good experience at their two tournaments: the Disney and the Cal 5. She was a dual member of the Holmby Hills club and a member of the Southwest Governance Council. She truly enjoyed making new friends through lawn bowling, individuals she would normally never meet from different countries and states. Many have became close friends.
Since her early 30s she began traveling extensively to over 45 countries. She learned a lot when she traveled. In 2014, she was chosen to be the Alternate and the Manager of the Bowls USA Women's Lawn Bowling Team, traveling to Hong Kong and Xinxiang, China. It was her fourth trip to China. It was amazing for her to witness lawn bowlers from all over the world, who perhaps did not share a common language, but could communicate through the rules of lawn bowling. That is one of the beauties of lawn bowling. Lawn bowling seems to attract people who are kind-hearted.

In July of 2014, Evelyn was diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma, breast cancer, stage 4. She underwent chemo and radiation treatments, but in December 2014 the cancer returned and spread to her bones. She continued to travel and enjoy life. Knowing that her time on earth was coming to an end, she reached out to her family and friends, ever positive and ever encouraging. Right before Easter, the pain intensified and she was admitted to Providence St. John's in Santa Monica. She continued to battle with what doctors thought was an inflamed gall bladder and pancreas. However, on May 13, emergency surgery was performed. After surgery, she was taken to ICU. Her valiant fight came to an end on the morning of May 19, when God called her home. She passed peacefully, surrounded by her family and friends. As throughout her life, Evelyn made friends easily, and tried to help them to the best of her ability, even in the hospital, she made new friends and was comforting friends and family.

Evelyn cared very deeply about her family and was always quick to offer advice and guidance. She is survived by her sister, Priscilla Corral, of Eagle Rock. She has 23 nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and recently, great great nieces and nephews. She was a part of all their lives as their loving aunt and role model.Evelyn was an avid animal lover, especially loving kitties, and most recently her beloved Buster, who came into her life as a blessing right before her cancer was diagnosed. He served as her "distraction" and comfort as she struggled on her journey.

Evelyn was a unique individual, who we will not see the likes of again. Her spirit will always be with us, mentoring us, and keeping us moving forward on a positive path. Evelyn lived life to the fullest and to quote Ethel Kennedy, "You only go around once, so give it all you got." Her strength, determination, and caring will be sorely missed by those who knew her. We are all richer because Evelyn touched our lives.