Evelyn Sowolla (Casseri) Zanin

EVELYN SOWOLLA ZANIN, nee Casseri, age 99, died on July 27, 2023 in her home in Sonoma, California knowing the caring love and respect of her three children.  Evelyn was loved dearly by her first husband of 53 years, her children’s father, Andrew (“Andy”) Sowolla, who died at 80 in 1999.  She was also much loved by John Zanin, her second husband of 10 years, who died in 2015.

Evelyn is survived by her children, Donna Halow (Paul Luca), Kris Sowolla (Carol) and Janet Zona (Frank); her grandchildren, James Halow (Gina), Michael Halow (Ashleigh), and Nikki Stuart (Scott); and her great grandchildren.  Evelyn is also survived by her step-sister, Mabel Carriera and predeceased by her sister Rose Casale (Dom) and her step sisters Angie Natale and Nancy Nadratowski.  She leaves behind beloved cousins, nieces and nephews.

Evelyn was born in the small coal mining town of Wehrum, PA to Joseph and Nancy Casseri.  She graduated as valedictorian from Blacklick Valley High School in PA where she was May Queen.  She moved to Cleveland, Ohio in order to support the war effort, working in one of the war plants. She built a rich life in Ohio, where she married Andy Sowolla, had three children and made many of her close lifelong friends.

Evelyn impressed and inspired her family by starting college at age 37, the same time as her oldest child.  After graduating Magna Cum Laude from Kent State in Ohio in 1961, she taught sixth grade at Glendale Elementary School in Bedford, Ohio, serving as an incredible model of integrity, grit and thoughtfulness for over two decades of school children.  Through this period, she lived in the home she and Andy built in Maple Heights, Ohio.  After retiring from teaching, Evelyn was a volunteer tax preparer for Ohio seniors for twenty years, both pre and post computerization.

Evelyn was fondly called “Network Control” as she was the center of communication for her extended family and friends.  She was blessed with a long life where she shared great joy with everyone in her orbit and the many lives she touched.  She was loved and respected by all who knew her.

Evelyn’s family is thankful to her caregivers for the loving attention and kindness in her last year.  The family plans a private celebration of her life.

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