Passing of Evelyn Carr “Evie” Fortna

Dear all,

It is with sorrow that I must share the news of the passing, on April 4, of Evelyn Carr “Evie” Fortna.

Mrs. Fortna arrived at Vassar in 1963 when her late husband, Professor Robert Fortna, a distinguished scholar of scripture, was appointed to the Department of Religion, where he would teach until 1994.  During the couple’s more than four decades on campus, Mrs. Fortna emerged as a force in her own right, earning a master’s degree in social work at Vassar through a program with Adelphi University, and serving Vassar students, the College and Poughkeepsie communities in a wide variety of roles, notably as a study counselor and as a House Fellow along with her husband in Davison.  Those who had children (or were children) at the Wimpfheimer Nursery School in the early 1990s will remember Mrs. Fortna as interim director of the school.

Mrs. Fortna is survived by her children, Ben, Ned, and Page, who were with her at the time of her passing.  Details about a service in celebration of her life will be shared as they become available.  On behalf of Vassar, I extend our sympathies to the entire Fortna family, and to her many friends and colleagues at the College.

Elizabeth H. Bradley, President
Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY 12604
@EHBVassar