Evelyn Magnus St. Germain, a devoted mother and grandmother, beloved sister, aunt, teacher, and friend, passed away peacefully on December 16, 2025, at the age of 85.
Born on July 24, 1940, in Waukegan, Illinois, Evelyn was the middle of three children of Harold and Dolores Magnus. She attended Holy Child High School, an all‑girls school that nurtured her early love of literature and learning. She later earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Saint Louis University, a foundation that shaped both her personal life and professional path.
Teaching was at the heart of Evelyn’s life. She began her career in the Chicago suburbs and, after marrying her college sweetheart, Michael P. Surso, taught high school in Indianapolis. As the family moved for Mike’s career, Evelyn devoted herself to raising her young daughter, Kathryn, and later, while living in Fort Wayne, earned her master’s degree in education at the joint campus of Indiana University–Purdue University.
Returning to full‑time work, she joined the English department at Northrop High School, where she taught journalism, speech, and theatre and formed deep, lifelong friendships with fellow teachers. She later taught English at Springfield High School in the Toledo area before returning to Fort Wayne to teach English at Wayne High School. There, she served as Chair of the English Department, was voted Teacher of the Year, and retired after successfully battling breast cancer—an achievement she met with pride, resolve, and characteristic candor.
In 2005, Evelyn moved to San Francisco to be closer to her daughter and quickly made the city her home. She taught in Catholic schools, first at St. Thomas the Apostle School and later part‑time at Mercy High School, where she especially enjoyed supporting students and teaching young women. It was a fitting full circle for someone whose education began at an all‑girls school and whose career ended at one. Evelyn was also an active member of St. Agnes Parish and its book club, where she formed close friendships and enjoyed lively, thoughtful conversations. Always interested in fellowship, she was a devoted member of the San Francisco Hat Society, where she made close friends and served as President.
Evelyn was known for her sharp intellect, dry wit, and spirited dialogue. An avid reader, she loved thoughtful discussion and meaningful conversation. Always in touch with new friends and old, she attended her 50th Holy Child High School reunion and later reconnected in California with a dear college friend visiting from Ecuador, enjoying the chance to catch up and share stories across the years. She also enjoyed baking, caring for her Siamese cats, attending the symphony, traveling, and nurturing the many friendships she cultivated throughout her life.
Evelyn was preceded in death by her older brother, Andrew Magnus, and was gently followed by her beloved sister‑in‑law, Barbara Magnus, who passed away the day after Evelyn.
She is survived by her daughter, Kathryn Surso (Jonathan Rodriguez); her beloved grandson, Brendan Rodriguez; her brother, Thomas Magnus (Zarrin); and many loving nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church in San Francisco on February 14, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., followed by a Celebration of Life at the Century Club beginning at 12:30 p.m. Those wishing to attend the reception are kindly asked to contact the family for additional information.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Mercy Home for Boys and Girls:
https://donate.mercyhome.org/page/148491/donate/1
Born on July 24, 1940, in Waukegan, Illinois, Evelyn was the middle of three children of Harold and Dolores Magnus. She attended Holy Child High School, an all‑girls school that nurtured her early love of literature and learning. She later earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Saint Louis University, a foundation that shaped both her personal life and professional path.
Teaching was at the heart of Evelyn’s life. She began her career in the Chicago suburbs and, after marrying her college sweetheart, Michael P. Surso, taught high school in Indianapolis. As the family moved for Mike’s career, Evelyn devoted herself to raising her young daughter, Kathryn, and later, while living in Fort Wayne, earned her master’s degree in education at the joint campus of Indiana University–Purdue University.
Returning to full‑time work, she joined the English department at Northrop High School, where she taught journalism, speech, and theatre and formed deep, lifelong friendships with fellow teachers. She later taught English at Springfield High School in the Toledo area before returning to Fort Wayne to teach English at Wayne High School. There, she served as Chair of the English Department, was voted Teacher of the Year, and retired after successfully battling breast cancer—an achievement she met with pride, resolve, and characteristic candor.
In 2005, Evelyn moved to San Francisco to be closer to her daughter and quickly made the city her home. She taught in Catholic schools, first at St. Thomas the Apostle School and later part‑time at Mercy High School, where she especially enjoyed supporting students and teaching young women. It was a fitting full circle for someone whose education began at an all‑girls school and whose career ended at one. Evelyn was also an active member of St. Agnes Parish and its book club, where she formed close friendships and enjoyed lively, thoughtful conversations. Always interested in fellowship, she was a devoted member of the San Francisco Hat Society, where she made close friends and served as President.
Evelyn was known for her sharp intellect, dry wit, and spirited dialogue. An avid reader, she loved thoughtful discussion and meaningful conversation. Always in touch with new friends and old, she attended her 50th Holy Child High School reunion and later reconnected in California with a dear college friend visiting from Ecuador, enjoying the chance to catch up and share stories across the years. She also enjoyed baking, caring for her Siamese cats, attending the symphony, traveling, and nurturing the many friendships she cultivated throughout her life.
Evelyn was preceded in death by her older brother, Andrew Magnus, and was gently followed by her beloved sister‑in‑law, Barbara Magnus, who passed away the day after Evelyn.
She is survived by her daughter, Kathryn Surso (Jonathan Rodriguez); her beloved grandson, Brendan Rodriguez; her brother, Thomas Magnus (Zarrin); and many loving nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church in San Francisco on February 14, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., followed by a Celebration of Life at the Century Club beginning at 12:30 p.m. Those wishing to attend the reception are kindly asked to contact the family for additional information.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Mercy Home for Boys and Girls:
https://donate.mercyhome.org/page/148491/donate/1
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Evelyn Magnus St. Germain, please visit our flower store.
Evelyn Magnus St. Germain's Guestbook
Visits: 49
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors