Evelyn Lois Montella

1932 - 2022

'Resilient, humorous, and simply a shining light' Evelyn Lois Montella (nee Zielinski) passed away on Palm Sunday, April 10, 2022 at Clove Lakes Nursing Home just 2 months from her 90th birthday. Evelyn was primarily a homemaker, mother, and grandmother extraordinaire. As a young woman, Evelyn was employed by Wallerstein & Company as an administrative assistant; this was back in the day when Procter & Gamble and Weissglass Dairy had their home bases in Staten Island and when Staten Island was more industrialized. This came before the birth of her two children: Cathy Montella and Cynthia Crescenzi. While raising a family, she was also employed by George Wonica Realty as an administrative assistant. In her later years and into her 70's, she worked as a home health care aide for Alzheimer's patients. The key to her longevity was time spent with her grandchildren, Brittany Marie Maniscalco, Victoria Ariana Crescenzi, and Isabella Christina Crescenzi, with whom she adored. Her recent additions to the family are her great grandchildren, Mia Rose Maniscalco, Emmy Jo Maniscalco, and Jameson Dean Maniscalco. Her granddaughter Brittany reflected, "to know my Nanny was to love her, she had the purest heart, the funniest spirit, and the biggest personality. Nanny was small but mighty and would always tell it like it is. She was her truest self at all times and gave the best advice and encouragement. Her love was unconditional and felt profoundly". Her granddaughter Victoria reflected, "my Nanny's energy was unmatched, and everyone just loved her from the moment they met her. No matter what life threw at her, she handled it with grace and a smile. Tough as nails, but soft to the core, caring for anybody that crossed her path, she was an unforgettable woman." Her granddaughter Isabella reflected, "my Nanny was the most beautiful soul to walk this earth, resilient, humorous, and simply a shining light. I will forever wish I could have one more dance with her." A social butterfly, Evelyn loved to ballroom dance and was caught out many a late night dancing in her 70's with her girlfriends dressed to the nines. She loved to cook and made delicious Polish meals. Her exquisite garden was home to the most interesting and eccentric plants with an array of beautiful colors and textures. Born June 2, 1932, the native Staten Islander was the youngest of 10 children. Evelyn was predeceased by her loving husband, Joseph Montella and her siblings, Mary Ziel, Peter Zielinski, Frances Nalwasky, Walter Zielinski, Adam Zielinski, Sophia Larsen, Josephine Tanzosh, Frank Zielinski and Anastasia Scanlon. Donations are being accepted by the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation in Evelyn's name. Please log onto the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation website and make a donation in Evelyn Montella's name or text PFFTribute1040 to 71777 to donate or simply click on the link below. All donations are tax deductible. https://app.mobilecause.com/vf/PFFTribute/EvelynMontella Thank you. Forever In Our Hearts, Our Nanny Girl Will Be! Visitation will take place Monday April 18 from 3 to 9pm at Harmon Funeral Home 571 Forest Ave. Mass of Christian Burial Tuesday 10:45 at Sacred Heart RC Church. Interment to follow at Resurrection Cemetery. Harmon Funeral Home 571 Forest Ave Staten Island NY 10310 (718) 442-5056