Evelyn J. Aylward

TEMPLETON – Evelyn J. (Salvas) Aylward, 75, formerly of East Templeton and Gardner, died peacefully at Wachusett Manor Nursing Home on April 27th, following a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Born in Tewksbury, MA on November 19, 1940 to Rose (Tate) and Ovila Joseph Salvas, Evelyn was raised in East Templeton by Pearl (Barrett) and Orville Winch.  She was a graduate of the first class of Narragansett Regional High School in 1958 and married the love of her life James R. Aylward Jr in 1959, this past January 10th celebrating 57 years of marriage.

Evelyn retired in 1988 after 25 years with The Gardner News as a Production Manager and continued working part time at Metropolitan Life Insurance in Gardner and Cumberland Farms and Royer’s (Templeton Spirits) Package Store in East Templeton.  In her 20’s, Evelyn was President of the Eagles Woman’s Auxiliary in Gardner.  In retirement, she continued babysitting her grandchildren and was the “resident volunteer” at the Colonial Apartments in Gardner, where she resided for 15 years.

Evelyn will be remembered for being the “nicest person” anyone ever knew.  She loved her Boston Red Sox, taking trips to Foxwoods and Atlantic City, Bingo, scratch tickets, country western music, and watching the Wheel of Fortune.

Besides her husband, Evelyn leaves behind five children, Janet R. Haley and husband Jonathan of Templeton, James R. Aylward, III and wife Elaine of Nashua, NH; Joan R. Sears and husband Daniel and their children Adam, Michael and Jason of Baldwinville; Julie R. Richard and husband Michael and their children Sarah and Sean of East Templeton and Jennifer R. Belliveau and husband Dale Sr, and their children, Dale Jr, Darren, Derek and Danielle of Baldwinville; four great grandchildren; a brother, Andrew Salvas of Maryland and several nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her parents, a son John in 2014, and her brothers, Robert Salvas and Herbert Winch.

Calling hours will be held on Monday, May 2nd from 10 AM to 12 Noon, followed by funeral services at 12 Noon in Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon.  The Rev. Francis A. Roberge will officiate.  A reception will follow at the Kamaloht in East Templeton.

A private burial service will be held at the convenience of the family in Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 480 Pleasant Street, Watertown, MA 02472 or to American Diabetes Association, 10 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701.

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