Lynda Evjen

Lynda Mae Froelich Evjen, a prominent City of Hendersonville community leader known for her irrepressible spirit and deep commitment to charity, passed away suddenly on April 21, 2025 following a short illness. She was 77.

Middle Tennessee residents often referred to Lynda as “The Heartbeat of Hendersonville,” and for good reason. Not long after moving to Hendersonville in 2007, Lynda founded the nonprofit organization HolidayFest, which to date has raised over $3 million for various charities. An accomplished actress, Lynda made many appearances as Mrs. Claus at various HolidayFest events, which made an indelible impression on a generation of holiday revelers. Lynda was also a champion of our men and women in uniform, so she founded the organization Champions of Valor to raise funds for military veterans and first responders.

Born in Akron, Ohio in 1948, Lynda grew up in Dallas, Texas, in a home where art, music and charitable giving were top family priorities. Her mother, Nancy Nell Smith Froelich, was an accomplished amateur painter, and her father, William Henry Froelich, played piano. Their passionate support of arts nonprofits like the Dallas Symphony Orchestra attracted the attention of no less a luminary than the pianist Van Cliburn, who performed private concerts in the family living room.

Growing up in such a creative household, it’s not surprising that Lynda initially decided to pursue an artistic career. She earned a bachelor of fine arts degree in theater from Midwestern University and then a master of fine arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin. She also studied at the Stella Adler Academy in California. Her busy acting career included live theater and tours with the Dallas Repertory Theater, San Jose Repertory Theater, Actors Conservatory Theater San Francisco, and the USO. She also made appearances in film, television and commercials.

She taught acting at the University of California at Santa Barbara as well as schools in Santa Clara, Calif., and Sumner County, Tenn. Later, Lynda also served as president of the Nashville Women in Film and Television, and she was a founder of Actor-Com, an organization that provides seminars and training for casting directors.

Lynda married David Michael Evjen in 1970 and soon moved to California, where David was enrolled as a biochemistry student at the University of California at Santa Barbara. While in California, Lynda earned a Certificate of Business from Stanford University. She put this new-found business knowledge to good use, establishing along with David the company Med-Cor, which became the third largest release-of-information company in the national healthcare industry. In another business venture, she co-founded the Bay Area public relations firm The Buzbee Group. 

After a long and successful time in California, Lynda and David relocated to Hendersonville to be closer to family. The couple soon became active with organizations throughout the region. She became a member of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church and was an ardent supporter of Catholic educational endeavors. With the assistance of David and Regina Gammon, she helped start the Hendersonville Farmers Market at Streets of Indian Lake. Lynda also continued to act, performing with Actor’s Point Theater and Steeple Players, while, of course, making appearances as Mrs. Claus at HolidayFest events.

Lynda will long be remembered for her tireless work on behalf of nonprofit charitable organizations. Her significant accomplishments include raising $150,000 for the American Heart Association in Nashville; $50,000 for the Tennessee State Museum; $45,000 for Celebrity Tablescapes TJ Martell Foundation in Nashville; $100,000 for Operation Stand Down in Nashville; $1.3 million for Silicon Valley Charity Foundation; $500,000 for the Young Women’s Christian Association in San Jose, Calif.; and $1.6 million for the American Cancer Society in San Jose.

Lynda is survived by David, her loving husband of 55 years; her daughter Janet Suzanne “Suzie” Hagopian (Mark); son David Maxwell Evjen (Megan K. Halpern); grandson Dylan Howard Halpern Evjen; and sister Cheryl Ann Strichik (Joseph). She is also survived by multiple nieces and nephews: Chad Johnson (Sarah), Celeste Davidson (Justin), Lillian Davidson, Lola Rose Davidson, Laurel Josephine Davidson, Salimeh Evjen, Jason Salim Evjen (Alejandra Arrietta), Rick Hallman, Scott Hallman (Donna), Chris Hallman (Alice), Devon Hallman, Cheyenne Lucas (Matt) and their respective children and grandchildren.

Visitation will be held Sunday, April 27, 2025, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Hendersonville Memory Gardens Funeral Home. A funeral mass will take place at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church on Monday, April 28, 2025. The viewing and greeting will be at 11 a.m. and the mass will start at noon. A reception will follow at Bevington Hall.

Donations to Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in memoriam of Lynda Evjen are welcome.