Posted: July 1, 2009

Audrey Evers was an optimist, a trait she maintained throughout a decade as principal of Wauwatosa West High School and another spent caring for her ill husband while courageously fighting her own cancer.

Evers, of Brookfield, died June 21 at the age of 66.

Tom Pluster, a former School Board president who worked with Evers, described her as ever-sanguine and a "consummate professional."

"Audrey was one of the most positive people I've ever known," Pluster said. "She faced her illness the same way she faced any other professional issue. She researched it, she sought out the best people, she faced the obstacles head on and she never backed down. And she always did it with good humor."

Pluster speaks from experience. He first worked with Evers in the 1990s as part of a West parent advisory group called Directions 2000. The group served as a think tank, test kitchen, sounding board and communication vehicle focused on the community's educational issues.

Pluster said his two-term School Board career was a direct result of Directions 2000 and the discussions Evers helped engender.

A true leader

Evers' consistent empowerment of parents was unprecedented, Pluster said, a result of her unique leadership and communication skills.

"She was an outstanding leader. She had tremendous vision and clarity of thought," he said. "She could organize those issues and then effectively communicate them to a wide audience."

Her leadership skills were put to the test when she had to help the school's staff and students through a shocking tragedy: the 1993 death of associate principal Dale Breitlow at the hands of a former student.

Pluster said Evers stepped up to guide the school community following the tragedy.

"She was exemplary in her leadership," Pluster said. "Needless to say, it was a sad time."

Dedicated to education

Patricia Luebke was the district's director of student services when Evers was hired and is now principal at West. Luebke also praised Evers' professionalism and said she was forward-thinking.

"She had a strong vision, high standards (and) wanted the very best for the students and families of Wauwatosa West High School," Luebke said.

The enthusiasm Evers brought to her administrative role at West was the product of a lifelong dedication to education. Sara Silver-Traband, Evers' daughter, said education was her mother's lifelong passion.

She became associate principal at Wauwatosa West in 1989 and was promoted to principal in 1990.

Pluster said Evers "raised the bar for everyone" while she was principal, increasing student performance and empowering the school community.

Evers was regarded as a distinguished leader and mentor to students and young teachers. Silver-Traband said Evers especially enjoyed working with teens, inspiring them to want to learn.

Finding the positive

In 2000, Evers discovered that both she and her husband, Tom, were ill. She retired to focus on her private life, caring for her spouse, spending time with her grandchildren and enjoying international travel, cooking, gardening, theater, current events, photography and reading.

After Evers' retirement, Pluster said, he and his wife grew closer to Tom and Audrey.

Despite her illness, she remained upbeat.

"I'm sure there were times that things must have gotten her down, but when you talked with her and you asked how she was doing, she might give you a minute of a very quick update, and then we were off talking about more positive things," Pluster said.

Pluster said he'll most remember Evers' humor.

"She is and was one of my most favorite people - one of the most memorable people - I've ever met. A great lady in every way," he said.

"But the best part of Audrey, was I loved her laugh and I loved her sense of humor. (She was) a very positive woman."

Evers (formerly Silver, nee Gratz) is survived by her husband, Tom; children, Rhett Silver and Sara Silver-Traband; son-in-law, Tyler Traband; grandchildren, Simone and Sawyer Traband; mother, Genevieve Gratz; sister, Cathy Gratz Griffen; nephew, Ken Griffen; nieces, Kelly and Loren Griffen; five step-children, 10 step-grandchildren, other relatives and friends.

A visitation, funeral service and family gathering were held June 26.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Clinical Cancer Center at Froedtert Hospital and the Education Foundation of Wauwatosa are suggested.