Evelyn Pagona

1934 - 2016

Evelyn Testa Pagona, 82, passed away peacefully Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Chapel Hill, N.C., with her loving family by her side. The cause was pneumonia. She was born Jan. 27, 1934, in South Greensburg to the late Elizabeth (Calabrese) and James Testa. She attended Greensburg High School and settled in Manassas, Va., where she raised her children. Ms. Pagona lived in many places throughout her life, including Pennsylvania, Virginia, Florida and North Carolina. Ms. Pagona had many talents and passions that endeared her to her loved ones. She was an expert roller figure skater in her youth. She was a talented weight loss lecturer, and she had a genius for names and dates. Ms. Pagona was an avid reader, learner and agent of change. In the '70s, she was inspired to take up the cause of women's equality and became an active member of the National Organization for Women. Through these experiences, she realized the importance of self-sufficiency and independence in the lives of both men and women. She taught these values to her children through words and deeds, and she demonstrated her fearlessness as she stood up for injustice whenever and wherever she saw it. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three sisters, Mary Testa, Flora Mae Soloman and Josephine Pushkis; and a brother, Anthony Testa. She is survived by her five loving children, John Pagona and wife Diana, of Virginia Beach, Va., Leah Bryant and husband James, of Cary, N.C., Pam Pagona and husband George Giek, of Lake Mary, Fla., Penny Pagona and husband John Kokkinos, of Virginia Beach, Va., Scott Pagona and wife Debra, of Ayden, N.C.; sister, Bettyjean Falo and husband Donald, of Merritt Island, Fla.; eight grandchildren, Tony, Amanda, Jenna, Alexis, Niko, Aubrey, Quinn and Victor; and two great-granddaughters, Tajiona and Amira.
A private family gathering will be held.
Memorial contributions in honor of Ms. Pagona are welcomed and may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at www.stjude.org/donate. Online condolences can be made at www.Never-Gone.com.