My memories of Aunt Eva go back to my very early age, as early as age 5. She was the youngest of five siblings. She visited us more often in Bombay and then in Anand while she was still in India until mid-60’s.
She was born at Chinchpokli Hospital in Bombay. She was named after Salvation Army 4th General Evangeline Booth, daughter of the Founder of the Army – William Booth. My grandparents being commissioners in The Salvation Army, were commissioned to four corners of Indian territories. Aunt Eva being the youngest and still in college, moved with them. While in Calcutta territory since 1956, she received her Bachelor of Social Works from University of Calcutta. She often talked about her early days working with Mother Teresa and her Missionaries of Charities organization where Mother Teresa was based.
Around 1965, She decided to go to USA to pursue master’s degree in social works. The picture below was taken in Bombay when the entire family was gathered for sendoff for Aunt Eva to USA.
Standing (L to R) – Uncle Benjamin, Uncle Eric Keats, Grandpa Joseph, Uncle Phillip, Dad Daniel
Middle (L to R) – Aunt Irene, Aunt Ruby, Grandma Saguna, Aunt Eva, Mom Mili, Cousin Alan Keats
Bottom (L to R) – Sister Olive, Cousin Kevin, Ernest, Cousin Ivan (Mickey), Cousin Eunice
She arrived in Honolulu Hawaii where she spent few months working with the local Army corp.; before enrolling with The University of Washington MSW program.
Here, Aunt met Ph.D student named Kees Van Der Wekken. Later, they got married in 1970 in Seattle, Washington.
Uncle Kees worked at Boeing, specializing in metal corrosion prevention, and aunt worked in a Salvation Army Social Center, Seattle.
Later, uncle decided to switch to Academia, and they decided to move the family to Holland. Uncle retired as Professor at the Delft University of Technology.
In 1973, Evangeline and husband Kees van der Wekken, raised sufficient money in Holland, to meet a need for the Boys’ Boarding House Study Room at WILLIAM BOOTH MEMORIAL CHILDREN’S HOME ANAND, GUJARAT, INDIA.
Aunt Eva is survived by her husband Kees, daughter Ruby and son Chris, Son-in-law Mika and grand children Dahya and Jai and brother Benjamin.
Reflections on Running & Life 