Dr. Della Laura, 85, formally of Gloversville, NY passed away on January 3, 2023 with her loving family by her side. She was born in Gloversville, NY on September 28, 1937 and is the daughter of the late Hugo and Laura (Holland) Evangelista.
During her lifetime Dr Della Laura was known for her compassion for others, love of teaching and as a ground breaker in the field of Hydrology and Civil Engineering. She obtained her undergraduate degree at Antioch College in Ohio and was the first female to graduate with her PhD in Civil Engineering at Colorado State University.
During her years as the head of the international division of the U.S. Geological Survey in Washington DC she travelled extensively throughout the world coordinating water resource efforts in foreign countries. All who knew her had heard her wild tales of adventures in the Middle East, South America, and Asia. She moved to California to raise her family. Amongst her incredible accomplishments she still claimed her greatest was her family. She is survived by her twin daughters, Drs. Della and Laura Bennett and her grandchildren Jordyn, Nolan, Kai and Aubrey.
After retirement she continued her impact through her non-profit Water for Peace. She returned to Fort Collins and Colorado State to be around the vibrant academic community. The last years of her life were stolen from her through Alzheimers. She spent those years in Abilene, Texas with her daughters.
