Dorothy Evankoe

Dorothy Charlotte Evankoe (MacAskill) , a cherished mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, left us peacefully in her sleep on April 4, 2025. Dorothy was 100 years young at heart and had a well-lived life. Dorothy (commonly called Dot or "Um" by her grandkids) had a spirit that lit up every room and was the true definition of the life of the party. She was known for her laughter, quick wit, and, above all else, her kind and compassionate heart.

A proud, lifelong Chicagoan, Dorothy spent 85 years in the same home on the city’s Northwest Side — the house she moved into at 15 and never left. There, alongside her husband Stanley, she raised three children — Michael, Craig, and Darlene — filling the home with warmth, laughter, and love. Years later, that same house became a second home to her grandchildren, Sean and Erin, whom she helped raise with the same unwavering devotion and care she gave her own children. So deep was the bond between Dorothy and Erin that Erin eventually moved into the home next door, ensuring they could remain side by side — a constant source of joy, love, and friendship to one another.

Dorothy had a long and dedicated career with the U.S. Postal Service, eventually serving as a training technician at the Postal Service Management Institute. She was admired for her work ethic, honesty, and heart. She believed in doing things the right way — just showing up, doing your best, and treating people with respect.

To her family, she was more than a mother and grandmother — she was a best friend, a confidante, and a safe place. She always knew how to make you laugh when you needed it most. She told the best stories, gave the best hugs, and made everyone feel like a someone.

When Dorothy was asked the secret to a life well-lived, she offered these words of wisdom:

“Don’t always dance with your partner. Go out and dance on your own.”

“Be true blue” — to yourself and to others.

In her later years, Dorothy enjoyed being the treasurer of the Hiawatha Park Senior Citizens Club, playing a game or working on a puzzle, or having an ice-cold Hacker-Pschorr with Friday night pizza. You could always catch her sleeping in, enjoying an extra cup of coffee in the morning, and watching Jeopardy! and the ABC7 news at 4.

Dorothy leaves behind a legacy of laughter, loyalty, resilience, and unconditional love. She was, quite simply, the best person in the world. If you knew her, you were lucky. If you loved her, you were even luckier. And if she loved you — well, then you already know.

Rest in peace, Grandma. You were truly one of a kind.

Visitation Tuesday, April 8, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Cumberland Chapels 8300 W. Lawrence Ave., Norridge, IL.  Funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, at the funeral home, and will then proceed to St. Francis Borgia Church in Chicago for Mass at 12:00 noon.  The entombment will follow at All Saints Mausoleum in Des Plaines. For more information www.cumberlandchapels.com or call (708)456-8300.