Evelyn Dewsnup

Evelyn Redman Dewsnup, aged 86, passed away on Thursday, August 5, 2010. Evelyn had lived at a ranch in Davis for almost 50 years with her husband, Stanley R. Dewsnup, and their five children. Born in Walla Walla, Washington to Wynn Henry Redman and Nettie Thompson Redman, she later spent her childhood in Portland, Oregon with her parents and elder brother Wynn. Her parents then moved to Sacramento, where her father was appointed manager of Dunn & Bradstreet Inc. After graduating from Sacramento H.S. she attended Sacramento Jr. College where she earned an A.A. degree in English. While there her interest in theatre became more intense. She had leading roles in plays and served as an assistant director. At the school she was a member of a prominent sorority, she became its president as well as the first female president of the schools student body. Transferring to Stanford University she continued her love of drama, graduating in 1946 with a degree in Speech and Drama. Evelyn participated in a unique course in radio broadcasting at NBC Studios in San Francisco where she enjoyed working with her colleague, Jack Palance. During WWII she was active in many wartime projects including the Red Cross and U.S.O. She and her future husband, whom she had met at S.H.S., kept up a correspondence after he enlisted and was commissioned as an officer serving the Army Air Corp as a bombardier-navigator in B-24s in the European theater. After the war Stan returned, as a Reserve Officer, to engineering studies at U.C. Berkeley and they were married on February 2, 1947. They lived in Berkeley where Stan finished his degree and Evelyn worked in radio at an Oakland station as Program Director. They soon moved back to Sacramento where their first child, Wynn, was born. In the following years they added to their family with Ellen, David, Daniel and Andrew. Evelyn and Stan purchased property in Davis in 1961 and built their home the following year seeing the ranch as a good place to raise their family. The home was designed and cooperatively built by Stan, who was a professional civil engineer, and his sons. Evelyn decided to continue her career by completing her teaching certificate, eventually going to work for Davis High School as an English, Debate and Drama teacher. She became adept as a coach with the Debate team coaching the team to several championships. Her real passion was with the Drama department where she enjoyed directing and producing many plays and musicals while working alongside the students. While working full-time as a teacher, she and Stan also completed countless hours of service with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints where she found much personal satisfaction. Her service to the church and her faith were grounding forces and continued throughout her life. She was preceded in death by her brother, Wynn Redman, her loving husband Stan and her granddaughter Olivia. She is survived by her children Wynn (Jeannine) Dewsnup of Ogden, Utah; Ellen Dewsnup of San Simeon, CA; Dave (Laurie) Dewsnup, Davis, CA; Daniel (Julie) Dewsnup of Eugene, Oregon; and Andrew (Cathy) Dewsnup of Walnut Creek, CA; as well as 9 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren all of whom will miss her. There will be a viewing on Thursday evening, August 12th, at the Wiscombe Funeral Home (116 D Street, Davis, CA) from 6-8 PM. Services will be held on Friday, August 13th at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (785 Elmwood Street, Davis, CA) at 11 AM. Interment will follow at the Davis Cemetery (820 Pole Line Road, Davis).

To plant memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Evelyn Dewsnup, please visit our flower store.

Guestbook

Add Photo Light a Candle

Evelyn was my high school drama teacher. To be sure, I had many fine teachers, but Evelyn was the best of the best. I remember her with fondness, admiration and gratitude for all she taught me. My heart-felt condolences to her family on their great loss. Nancy Gibbs Ball, Davis High School, Class of 1973

Nancy Gibbs Ball Aug 15 2010 12:00 AM

I am so glad that Evelyn and I took several trips together and that I took so many pictures. I will have such good memories everytime I look at these albums. I will miss her very much. Claudine

Claudine Olsson Aug 13 2010 12:00 AM

I considered my remembrance of Evelyn when I heard of her passing. I remember a woman who was tolerant, a woman who understood boundaries and rules did not belong everywhere, that there were exceptions. I remember a woman with a certain wisdom born of the heart. I remember a woman of courage, who sat in a college classroom with us "then-young" students calmly, collectively focused while we were chaotic. I remember and appreciate having known her. My sympathies to her family. Cathie (Boren) Wicks

Cathie M. (Boren) Wicks Aug 12 2010 12:00 AM

Dear Dewsnup Family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you. javier & Linda Ortiz

Linda Ortiz Aug 12 2010 12:00 AM

I have so many fond memories of Mrs. Dewsnup from taking Drama Class at DHS. She was great fun as a teacher, but always held us accountable. She always cast me in the roles that gave me room to expand as an actress, I've appreciated that more and more over the years. It was her way of saying I could portray the character with depth or flaws, I could do more than be an ingnue. She gave me confidence and I will always hold her close in my heart. Thank you Mrs. D!

Sandy Harris Horn Aug 12 2010 12:00 AM

I send my love to Evelyn's family. Evelyn touched my life with her many accomplishments, but most of all, her love for her family and the Lord. She will be greatly missed by those she leaves behind, but greeted with great joy by the many that have gone before! A Great Woman!

Millie Beddard Aug 12 2010 12:00 AM

Evelyn touched so many lives in a profound and positive way. Her guidance, creativity, and passion for theatre shaped my life and, I know, the lives of many others. Her patience with the teen ego was unsurpassed. She is missed.

Christine (Henigan) Hopper Aug 11 2010 12:00 AM

My Dear Mrs. Dewsnup! Oh my goodness Dan, how I have thought of your Mom over the years. Remember when she took us to the Ashland Shakespeare festival and plunked us down in a tent and trusted us to behave? And when she single handedly took us to Newport Beach for a festival, never once worrying (at least as far as we knew...) that we would 'do her proud'. Dan, your Mom was a great woman, an inspiration. There are very few (Brunelle, Dewsnup) that one remembers and reveres from childhood. Your Mom was GREAT. You are blessed my old friend. Liz Pleau Hosmer

Liz Pleau Hosmer Aug 11 2010 12:00 AM

Evelyn Dewsnup was my high school drama teacher and debate coach. My mother always complained that my scholastic debating experience made me a more argumentative young man. And I've joked for years that Mrs. Dewsnup "made a man of me" directing me in school plays -- she taught a callow teenage boy to stand and stride and speak as befits an adult male on stage. Her lessons live on, for I recall her instructions and suggestions every time (and I do... mean every time) I'm on stage. Thank you, Evelyn Dewsnup, and "bon voyage."

David Hance Aug 11 2010 12:00 AM

I mourn her passing and remember her with fondness.God's peace to all who loved Evelyn.

Rick Lindholtz Aug 11 2010 12:00 AM

Show More Entries