Anna E. Evanish

Anna E. Stepek Evanish, 95, of Oakdale, PA, passed away on Monday, February 10, 2025, in Virginia Beach, VA. Anna and her beloved husband, Roger, raised their family in Penn Hills, PA and eventually relocated to Oakdale. Anna traveled from Pittsburgh to Colorado, Florida and to Virginia Beach during her final years, spending time with her adult children and grandchildren.
Anna was born on July 23, 1929, in Alicia, PA, a daughter of the late John and Barbara Leskovar Stepek. A coal miner's daughter, the family moved to the mining town of Renton, PA, then to Kinloch where she graduated from New Kensington High School. As a senior she was voted as the "Shamrock Queen."
She married Roger Evanish in 1955 and soon after started a family, having five children in five years. They raised their family in Hershey Town, then Universal, before the growing years in the Unity part of Penn Hills (known as the Cabbage Patch) where they lived in her dream house. In later years they moved to Plum, then Oakdale to be closer to their grandchildren.
Before her marriage, Anna worked as a secretary at Alcoa. Once the kids were in school, she worked for Dardinell Publications. Mrs. Evanish then worked for Schultheis Brothers Heating and Cooling in the customer service department until retirement.
Anna was an active member of SNPJ Lodge 715 in Universal, PA. She served as the Lodge's first Youth Circle Director, was a longtime Lodge officer, served on the SNPJ Slovenian Heritage Center Museum Committee for several years, and participated in many fraternal events and polka festival gatherings with family and friends. She and her family enjoyed spending time at the SNPJ Recreation Center, first in the cabins for Universal family weeks, then for decades in their own trailer at the SNPJ trailer court. The grandkids loved to gather there to spend time with Grandma.
Anna and Roger did a lot of traveling throughout the United States. They also made trips to Europe, visiting Slovenia, Croatia, Italy and Austria, which they enjoyed very much.
Above all, Anna's greatest love was her family. She was a deeply caring wife, mother and grandmother. Her time with her family was precious, and she found joy in every shared moment. Anna took immense pride in each of her loved ones, celebrating their successes and supporting them through challenges. Her warmth, devotion and love were the foundation that held her family together, and her presence will be deeply missed by all who were fortunate to know her.
Surviving are her children, Alison Evanish (Bill Cashman), Karen Urban, Jamie (Patti) Evanish, and Joe Evanish; and grandchildren Meghan Manning Robinson (Tom), Alyssa and Trevor Urban, and Carly and Jack Evanish. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews who knew her as "Aunt Honey."
In addition to her parents, Anna was preceded in death by her loving husband, Roger J. Evanish; a son, Michael Evanish; and her siblings, Steve Stepek, Jennie Zanyk, Frances Banks, Virginia Sypula and Joseph Stepek.
Visitation will be held Saturday, March 8, 2025, from 1 to 4 p.m. with a service/blessing at 4 p.m. at Thomas-Little Funeral Service, Inc. and Crematory, 305 Main St., Imperial (724-693-2800). Visitors are welcome to the Imperial SNPJ Club for food and cheer after the visitation. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the SNPJ Cabin Renovation Fund (mail to SNPJ, 247 West Allegheny Rd., Imperial, PA 15126).