Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: November 10, 1996

Release #580-96

Contact: Colleen Roche, Kim Serafin (212) 788-2958


MAYOR GIULIANI PRESIDES OVER TREE-PLANTING CEREMONY TO
HONOR EVELYN ALVAREZ

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today presided over a tree-planting ceremony to honor the life and spirit of Evelyn Alvarez who was murdered last spring in front of the East Side dry cleaning store she owned with her husband. The Mayor was joined by Parks Commissioner Henry Stern at the ceremony, held in front of her store, Dutch Girl Cleaners.

Also in attendance were Walter Alvarez and Glenda Weyhrauch, Mrs. Alvarez's husband and sister, as well as her friend and spiritual guide, Bishop Patrick V. Ahern. The St. Ignatius Loyola Parish Community choir performed "Here I am Lord," "Amazing Grace," and other spiritual songs during the program.

"Evelyn Alvarez was a true shining star in New York City," said Mayor Giuliani. "Although she was not born in New York, she had the true spirit of our City in everything she did. Her enthusiasm towards her life and her work was contagious and everyone who crossed her path felt her warmness, her kindness and most of all, her radiant love. She is greatly missed but her spirit lives on through her store and through her family and friends."

Mrs. Alvarez was born in Trinidad and came to the United States 20 years ago. She and her husband, an immigrant from Colombia, saved their earnings to open their store ten years ago. She was a highly regarded member of the community and is remembered for her kindness, generosity and hard work. She was known in her community as the "lollipop lady" because she routinely handed the candies out to neighborhood children. She was an active parishioner at St. Sebastian Church, and was revered by the Church's close-knit community.

The tree, a Honey Locust, was donated by the neighbors of Mrs. Alvarez and patrons of her store.

Mrs. Alvarez's accused murderer, John Royster, is awaiting trial in Manhattan.



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