Violet F. Evanovich

1926 - 2022

Violet F. Evanovich passed away peacefully at home with her family and close friends by her side. She was 96 years old and lived a long, full, life. Violet was born in Banksville, New York and lived in nearby Greenwich, Connecticut. She was the second born child to Francis and Frances DiBella. Violet's parents immigrated from Messina, Sicily to New York through the iconic Ellis Island processing station. Violet was raised and schooled in Connecticut until the family moved out west to California in 1946, settling in the Cupertino area. Violet's parents owned the Cupertino Market and Delicatessen on N. De Anza Blvd. When they were ready to get out of the grocery business, they rented the building to a family who opened a donut shop called Donut Wheel. You can still stop there and get a donut - so many generations of families in the Santa Clara/Santa Cruz area remember it well. Violet met her husband Sam while working at the family grocery store. After his discharge from the Navy, he worked there part-time while going to the carpenter apprenticeship school. It pretty much was love at first sight and they married in July of 1948. They loved to take day trips to Santa Cruz to enjoy the beach town (and cooler weather) and eventually moved to Santa Cruz in 1959. At this time they had two sons, Sam (Jr.) and Paul. Their third son, Michael, was later born in Santa Cruz. While raising their family of three boys, Violet got her real estate license and worked for M.C. Hall and Sons on Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz. Sam became a union carpenter after apprenticeship school and also got his contractor's license. Violet would find vacant lots for sale on the westside of Santa Cruz, and Sam would build houses. They were the perfect team. During this time in their lives, they also were busy attending their sons' many sports games. When they eventually retired, they began to travel more. They visited Sicily, the Hawaiian Islands, and spent a lot of time at their very favorite place, South Lake Tahoe. Violet is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Sam M. Evanovich, who passed away May 2011. She is survived by her three sons; Sam Evanovich Jr. and wife Liz of Santa Cruz, Paul Evanovich of Santa Cruz, and Michael DiBella and wife Carole Scott of San Francisco. Violet leaves four grandchildren; John Evanovich, Devon Evanovich, Celeste Evanovich, and Nichole (Evanovich) Torres and husband David, and her three great-grandchildren; Gabriella, James, and Henry Torres. A Catholic Blessing Ceremony was held on December 30, 2022, at the Holy Cross Cemetery and Mausoleum Chapel. Violet was laid to rest next to her beloved husband Sam, adjacent to her parents Francis and Frances DiBella, and brother Charles DiBella and wife Mary. The family wishes to thank the caregivers from Care From the Heart In Home Services, and the staff at Hospice of Santa Cruz County for their support and compassionate care.If you wish to honor Violet's memory, donations can be made to Hospice of Santa Cruz County (hospicesantacruz.org/donate-now) or calling 831-430-3000. You may also make a donation to a charity of your choice.