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Evelyn Silvia was one of the first people I met when I came to the Math Department in the fall of 1999 because she was one of the four people who interviewed me. She also took on a large role in my training; one of the lessons I learned from her was how important the students are. The importance of students to Evelyn was evident to me and others. Her advising office hours were always packed as were her class office hours. She remembered many students who had passed through the department, even years later. She made a point of celebrating their accomplishments, especially at graduation; she made sure the graduation reception was well planned and a special time of honoring the graduates as well as allowing them to introduce their families to faculty who had had a role in their lives during their time at UC Davis.
Evelyn also poured her soul into the MAT students. After taking over that program, she seemed to be in perpetual motion (even more so than she had been before, if that was possible). We in the office wondered if she ever slept. Math education was very important to her, and she wanted to assure that the next generation of math teachers were well prepared. Not only did she spend every waking hour (seemingly) working on issues for and with the MAT students, but she worked with current teachers at workshops during the summer to help them better their math teaching skills as well. She somehow convinced other faculty members to also be involved with that program. Her passion for math and teaching was obvious.
My favorite image of her accompanied an article when Evelyn won a prestigious teaching award, the Deborah and Franklin Tepper Haimo Award. It looked like she was about to take off. She always seemed to be flying somewhere, going from task to task, but definitely enjoying what she was doing.
Evelyn will be missed by her many friends and by the Department. I count myself among that number and find it hard to believe that vital force is now extinguished. I find comfort in knowing that a part of her continues in the many lives she has touched over the years.
Nancy Davis was the Undergraduate Coordinator in the Mathematics Department at UC Davis from 1999-2005. She currently resides in Pennsylvania with her family.