Evelyn Menaldi

YOUNGSTOWN - Evelyn F. (Chiody) Menaldi, of Naples, Fla., and formerly of Austintown, passed away peacefully at Hospice of the Valley on Thursday, Jan. 25, at the age of 98.

Born on Dec. 24, 1919, in Niles, she was the beloved daughter of Peter A. and Rose M. Chiody and the devoted sister of Adeline (Matteo), Pearl (Martin), and Matilda "Leila" (Campbell), now all deceased.

Graduating from Niles McKinley High School in 1937, Evey worked at W.T. Grant Co. prior to her marriage to Arthur F. Menaldi on Sept. 6, 1941. For 45 years, the couple owned and operated Arthur Menaldi Jewelers in the Boardman Plaza, where she honed her skills in sales and financial management. They retired in 1990, and Arthur passed away on Oct. 10, 1995.

Until the age of 92, Evelyn was an avid golfer, playing in leagues at Leffingwell Hills, Mill Creek and Diamond Back golf courses. Her many trophies attest to her love for and excellence at her favorite sport. In later years she was a long-time president of the St. Joseph's (Austintown) Golden Agers and a member of the Happy Seniors, spending many pleasant afternoons playing cards and Bingo with her many friends.

The focus of her life, however, was always on her family: her children Marlene Strollo of Canfield, Arthur E. Menaldi and Nancy Menaldi-Scanlan, both of Naples, Fla., her sons in-law Dominic M. Strollo (deceased), Michael Kaiser and Michael Scanlan, both of Naples, her grandchildren Karin Hudock (Michael), of Canfield, Kimberly Strollo (posted with the State Dept. in Iraq), Dominic (Laura) Strollo II, of Estero, Fla., and David Strollo of Bonita Springs, Fla., her great-grandchildren Alexis and Brandon Hudock.

Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 29, at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes Boardman-Canfield Chapel (3701 Starr Centre Dr., Canfield) and from 11 to 11:45 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 30, at St. Michael's Catholic Church (Rt. 46, Canfield), with a funeral Mass to follow at noon. Burial services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, her family requests that donations be made to Hospice of the Valley, 5190 Market St., Boardman OH 44512, in gratitude for the compassionate and respectful care which they gave to our precious mother/grandmother in her final hours.