Evangelia (Evan)Tragas maiden Maltezos, was born in 1934 in the village of Zarafona,Sparta Greece. She grew up during the Great Depression and she lost her father when she was just two years old . Evan and her siblings had a difficult childhood. At the age of fifteen she took the long journey to the United States all by herself and she sailed to Chicago to be with her aunt and uncle . She began working at a factory at the age of fifteen and married Peter Tragas at the age of eighteen who she loved dearly . Together they had three children Stella, Chris, and Angelo. Her children were always her pride and joy. She spent the last forty years of her life in Florida.

 Despite her difficult childhood and tragic loses, especially the loss of her son Angelo, she was a beautiful and happy soul. She accepted everyone with open arms and loved unconditionally. If you knew Evan, you know you could never leave her presence without a smile and laugh. She never lost her style or wit for a second-she was always such a young spirit. 

Her home was always open to everyone. You never had to call, and you’d always be greeted with a smile and a hug at the door. She had a heart of gold. She was a strong Spartan woman who always spoke her mind . She enjoyed cooking , baking, sewing, gardening, making jewelry and her favorite past time of course, her Greek dramas. She inspired many to look for good even in the worst case of adversity. One of her favorite phrases was “keep your head high.” She is now our beautiful angel and will be missed dearly.