Sister M. Valeria Evanyo

SISTER M. VALERIA EVANYO ENTERS INTO ETERNAL LIFE
Sister M. Valeria Evanyo, O. S. B. M., a Sister of the Uniontown Province of the Sisters of St. Basil, fell asleep in the Lord at. Mt. Macrina Manor in Uniontown on Wednesday, October 29, 2025. She was born Helen on February 18, 1932, in Pittsburgh, Pa., the youngest of three daughters of the late Michael and Mary (Minarish) Evanyo. Her early education was received at Pittsburgh public schools and later graduated from Mt. Macrina Academy in Uniontown.
After entrance into the Basilian community from St. John the Baptist Parish on the South Side, she earned a bachelor's degree from Carlow (then Mt. Mercy) college. Her first ministry was teaching in parochial schools: Pottstown, Mont Clare, and Uniontown, PA; in Bridgeport, CT.; Chicago, IL; Cleveland and Lorain, OH.
A love for developmentally challenged children impelled Sister Valeria to pursue a master's degree in special education, teaching at the Rose-Mary Center in Cleveland and at the Intermediate Unit in Uniontown.
The Lord's call became quite different when she was appointed a secretary to the English Section of the Secretary of State at the Vatican in Rome, Italy. Serving in Rome for thirteen years, she served in written communicating for both the Holy Father John Paul II, and for other Vatican offices. Sr. Valeria has the unique distinction among the Basilian community of having worked for a saint (St. John Paul II).
Back in America, Sister Valeria assumed the responsibility of secretary for Bishop Basil Schott at the Eparchy of Parma. This was followed when she became the receptionist at the Chancery of the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh until her retirement from active ministry in August of 2014. Health issues took her to the monastery in August of 2022, and then to Mt. Macrina Manor.
Throughout her life of service, Sr. Valeria was known for her light-hearted spirit and great sense of humor.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and her sisters Mary Corso and Pauline Benedik. Left to cherish her memory are her nieces and nephews: Theresa and Thomas Benedik, Emily O'Keefe, Barbara Fair, June Murray, and Virginia Corso-Phinney, Urban, William and Martin Corso.
Friends will be received at the monastery on Friday, October 31, 2025, from 3:00 until 6:15 p.m. when the Parastas service for a Nun will be celebrated. The funeral Divine Liturgy will be celebrated by Most Reverend Archbishop William C. Skurla on Saturday, November 1 at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow in the Sisters section of Mt. Macrina Cemetery.
In blessed repose grant eternal rest O Lord to your departed handmaid Sister Valeria and remember her forever!
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