Evelyn Surprenant

1919 - 2025

Evelyn Surprenant
September 19, 1919 - May 13, 2025
In Loving Memory of Evelyn Surprenant
After a joyful and remarkable 105 years and 8 months, Evelyn Surprenant passed peacefully into God's presence on the evening of May 13, 2025. Surrounded by the love of her extended family, she left this world in the comfort of the home she shared for many years with her daughter, Peg Calamita, and son-in-law, John Calamita. Her final moments were filled with affection, as many family members kissed her farewell. She leaves behind a legacy of faith, kindness, and an enduring zest for life. Evelyn was predeceased by her beloved parents, Alexander and Elbertine Hart; her brother, Alexander (Merrick) Hart; her sister, Edna Mae Day; her husband, Emerson Joseph Surprenant; her son, James Surprenant; and her daughter, Linda Smith (Surprenant). She leaves behind her devoted son, Roy Surprenant, and daughter-in-law, Lynne Surprenant, whose loving care and support brought her comfort and joy throughout her later years; as well as her loving and caring daughter-in-law, Carol Surprenant. Evelyn was the proud grandmother of nine, great-grandmother of sixteen, and great-great-grandmother of one. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews, several of whom celebrated her 100th birthday by her side. Born on September 19, 1919, Evelyn was the first baby born that day, earning her mother a complete layette from Shartenberg's Department Store in New Haven. Raised in the small farming town of North Branford, Evelyn was blessed to grow up in a close-knit and loving family. She embraced the joys of childhood-sledding, skating, and swimming in the Farm River, Pages Pond, Forte's Hill, and along Route 80 and Totoket Road. A woman of deep Catholic faith, Evelyn and her family walked to St. Mary's Church in Branford until the devoted Catholic community of North Branford built St. Augustine Church on Branford Road. She remained spiritually active throughout her life, receiving communion from her grandson-in-law, Deacon Larry Tiani, and praying nightly with her daughter. After graduating from high school, Evelyn worked for New Haven Railroad, A.C. Gilberts, McKesson and Robbins Advanced Products, and later served as a cook in the North Branford school system. She was the last surviving member of a special circle of five childhood friends who began kindergarten together and gathered faithfully for monthly luncheons for decades-a sisterhood that she cherished to the very end. Friends and family are invited to pay their respects on Saturday, May 17, at Keenan Funeral Home, 330 Notch Hill Road, North Branford, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 a.m. at St. Augustine Church, 30 Caputo Rd., with burial immediately afterward at St. Agnes Cemetery, 295 E. Main Street, Branford, CT. In lieu of flowers, donations in Evelyn's memory may be made to Smilow Cancer Center, closertofree@ynhh.org .