Evelyn Mennella

Please note; due to COVID-19 concerns, the funeral mass on Friday has been cancelled. A memorial mass will be scheduled at a future date.  

Evelyn Mennella (nee Tammaro), 91 of Toms River, died peacefully after a brief illness on Friday, Dec. 4, 2020. She had lived in Paterson before retiring to Toms River twenty five years ago.

Evelyn grew up in Paterson and graduated from Eastside High School. She met Tom Mennella when the two of them were just teenagers, and loved blossomed.  They married on June 25, 1950 at St. Anthony’s Church on Beech St. in Paterson, followed by a honeymoon to Niagara Falls. Their honeymoon was marked by many memorable moments, not the least of which was when Tom left his wedding ring in a men’s room and they had to drive back to retrieve it! Their marriage was “traditional” in the Italian sense; two large families were merged together and this formed their foundation. Holidays and family gatherings included large numbers of people, either on her side or his side of the family, where good times were had by all. They raised their children on Michigan Ave in Paterson, and great memories were made in their neighborhood. Her children recall how wonderful Evelyn’s chicken soup was, as well as her homemade roasted red peppers and broccoli rabe. Evelyn enjoyed bowling and belonged to a bowling league years ago, and she was very good.  She also enjoyed politics and had been a Passaic County Committeewoman for a period of time.  Evelyn loved to travel and she had visited many European destinations, sailed on many cruises, and explored numerous islands with Tom. Evelyn and Tom were blessed to enjoy many years of retirement at the Pine Ridge North condos in Green Acres, Florida. Their friends and neighbors there became like a second family and they enjoyed genuine, strong friendships with all of them.  After Tom passed away in 2010, Evelyn’s neighbors all stepped in to help her.  This truly meant a lot to Evelyn’s children who didn’t have to worry about her being alone in Florida – there was always someone available to help.

Evelyn is survived by her two children; Janice Mennella of Montville, NJ, and Thomas Mennella and his wife Barbara of Montville, NJ, four grandchildren; Timothy and Jennifer Mennella; Brandon Schweizer Sr. (and wife Sharon) and Eric Schweizer (and wife Jillian) and great-grandchildren; Avery, Aubrey, Brandon, Jr., Brett and Alexander, one sister, Frances Cunningham and her husband James, a brother; Anthony Tammaro.  She was predeceased by her husband Thomas in 2010.  She was also predeceased by her infant brother John, by her sister; Lora Messina and brother in law, Sonny Messina, Evelyn is also survived by several devoted nieces and nephews.  

Donations in Evelyn’s memory would be appreciated to the Little Sisters of the Poor, 140 Shepherd Lane, Totowa, NJ 07512.