Evelyn Anne Locks

Evelyn Locks (née Krasny), of Long Island, NY passed away on November 8, 2025, while visiting loved ones in Florida. She was allegedly 92 years old (although according to her, she was 39). She spent her years nurturing every child, animal, and plant that crossed her path. She set the example for being unapologetically oneself. She was generous with her time and love, sharp in wit, and had a streak of mischief and humor that made everyone lucky enough to enter her orbit certain that life was far more interesting with her in it.


Evelyn was born in Hillside, New Jersey, on July 24, 1933, to Isabelle (née Katz) and Edward Krasny, who raised her alongside her older brother, Mitchell. From a young age, her interests blossomed into lifelong passions: theater, music, community organizations, family history, and scrapbooking. After graduating from Hillside High School in 1951, she excelled in roles ranging from lifeguarding to serving as a typist for IBM Computers and AT&T.

She met the love of her life, Richard Locks, in the summer of 1955. They married on June 30, 1956, in Irvington, NJ, beginning 66 years of writing poetic greeting cards, partnership, humor, and steady devotion. They were two perfectly balanced opposites: where he was quiet, she was there to speak up for them both - the perfect burst of energy to liven up his calm demeanor.

Although she dedicated much of her life to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Evelyn was anything but your stereotypical housewife. She did not "keep" the home; she ran it - carefully organizing each scrap of food, fabric, and piece of paper to ensure everything had its place and was put to good use. She always had a knack for business, working alongside Richard to establish "Evelyn Locks Inc." - the continuation of the Locks family tradition of printing and stationery, and in sales, running stands in the local flea market. Later in life, she would join Richard in volunteering at local mentorship programs to support underserved youth in the Nassau County area.

Evelyn also had quite the affinity for four-legged friends, frequently sharing tales of her numerous pets over the years, from tiny poodles, German shepherds, cats, and a lizard. In her care, every animal found a home (which was quite the feat, given how many critters her five children would surprise her with). She even served as a midwife for numerous litters of puppies, right on her own back steps.

Evelyn was always a tremendous cook (both in quantity and quality), whipping up dishes from American, Jewish, and Italian traditions with ease. She kept each of her friends and family members well-fed. Whether it was cookies or rugelach, she always managed to have your favorite dish in her pantry or two freezers. Evelyn also spent a lifetime feeding the minds and curiosity of her family. She was a fountain of information, always putting aside snippets of articles and book recommendations to share with each of her kin to help them succeed and grow. She could often be found reading a book (and taking copious notes on it) till late into the night (or, more aptly, early in the morning). Far from just fostering their minds, Evelyn was keen to tell all those around her the key to a long and healthy life - take your vitamins!

Later in life, Evelyn became the unofficial spokesperson for Costco—sometimes visiting her local warehouse five times in a single week—while a dutiful child or grandchild trailed behind her, armed with walkie-talkies and an AirTag tucked into her purse just to keep track of her. There, she not only found samples (or as she called them, "lunch") and shopping, but also friendship with the cashiers, return specialists, and stockers.

After outliving so many she cherished, those remaining are comforted in knowing she is back in the company of her husband and many other loved ones. Her legacy lives on in her family: her five children Clifford (Elyse) Locks, Ira (Doris) Locks, Larry (April) Locks, Ronny (Kerry) Locks, and Judy (Vito) Proscia; 11 grandchildren Kenzi Locks (Michael Klein), Stephanie (Christopher) Hartle, Lauren (John) Bruscella, Ryan Locks (Rachel Zarra), Spencer Locks, Brandon Locks, Hunter Locks, Rebecca Proscia, Ian Locks, Cameron Locks, and Peter Proscia; five great-grandchildren Finian and Margot Locks-Klein, James and Marielle Zarra-Locks, and Liam Hartle; two nieces Wendy Locks and Amy Locks (Kevin Klein); as well as other beloved family members and friends.

At her request, a celebration of Evelyn's life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Children's Miracle Network, supporting children's hospitals across North America and proudly championed by Costco—a detail we know would make Evelyn smile in approval.