Evelyn Santini

IRON MOUNTAIN - Evelyn L. Santini, a lifelong resident of Iron Mountain, died on Monday, January 26, 2009. She was one month short of her 95th birthday. Evelyn was born in Iron Mountain on February 25, 1914, to Alberto and Lucia Santoni and was baptized, educated and married in Iron Mountain. Evelyn lived on Kimberly Avenue for nearly seventy years, until she moved to Victorian Pines in 2007. She graduated from Iron Mountain High School in 1932, and for years Evelyn organized the many reunions of the Class of ?32. She worked as deputy county clerk until her marriage to John Santini when she had to resign since, at that time, married women were not allowed to hold a government position. On April 24, 1935, Evelyn Santoni married John Santini in a wedding service performed by Fr. Jani at the Immaculate Conception Church, a marriage that lasted over 65 years until John's death in 2001. Evelyn began working at Colenso's Inc. in 1952, eventually rising from clerk to manager of the women's departments. Later she became the clothing buyer for the Colenso's Store, traveling each year to New York, Chicago and Minneapolis to choose new clothes for the ladies' department. She was adept at finding all types of clothing that would suit her customers and, for many, acted as personal shopper. She retired after 26 years. Not only did Evelyn know what fashion best suited a customer, she also loved to wear beautiful clothes. She always dressed with flair and style. On a recent Bocce Club Sponsored Mexican cruise with her son, Joe, and his wife, Ellie, Evelyn wore some of her classic dinner dresses and was the fashion hit of the cruise. Evelyn was an active member of many civic, religious and business organizations, including the Business and Professional Women's Club, which honored her as Woman of the Year in 1992. She also was active in the Iron Mountain Kingsford Women's Club, Knights of Columbus Auxiliary and the United Commercial Travelers Auxiliary. She was a member of the Daughters of Isabella for more than 65 years. Evelyn was a longtime parishioner of Ss. Mary and Joseph Church. As one of the founding members of the Iron Mountain Paisano Club, she researched the background information of Italian immigrants who settled in this area. These names were placed in a time capsule by the Iron Mountain Centennial Committee in 1979. She served as vice president and was on the board of directors. Evelyn was honored as "Paisano of the Year" in 1991. Evelyn Santini was a wonderful Italian cook. She made all pasta by hand, using her beloved three-foot rolling pin; her specialty was her "macaroni". She loved to cook for a crowd, prepared multiple dishes ahead to stock her freezer, and often hosted crowds with traditional multi-course meals. She generously shared plates and bowls of pasta with her friends and neighbors. Evelyn also made a delicious version of the UP staple, the beef pasty, learned from a Cornish neighbor on the North Side. She loved to fill the freezers of her children with these many dishes when she visited their homes. She passed her skills on to the next generations, who continue to serve and enjoy "Nona's" Italian meals. Evelyn fulfilled a dream when she traveled to France and Italy, meeting in Rome with her first cousins, relatives of her mother. Evelyn spoke flawless Italian, learned from her mother and father. She had no difficulty getting around Rome and shopping in its boutiques. Evelyn was predeceased by her late husband, John A. Santini, and by two sisters, Eva Santoni and Vera Santoni VanImmerseel Staples. Evelyn is survived by her brother, Evo Santoni, and her sister, Iris Santoni Hillenbrand, and by her children Joseph (Eleanor) Santini, Lucia Santini (James) Smith and James (Susan) Santini. She is also survived by grandchildren Ann Santini (Jim) Ruf, Gregory (Julie) Santini, Matthew (Kimberly) Smith, Aaron (Amy) Smith, Rachel Smith (Christopher) Busby, Alicia Santini and Sarah Santini, and by fourteen great-grandchildren: Marco and Christina Santini, Cary and Claire Ruf, Asher, Brennan, Regan, Aaron, Summer, Owen, Isabel and Henry Smith and Kate and Anna Busby. Last, she is mourned by multitudes who ate at her table, received bowls of macaroni and loved her. Visitation will be held Sunday, February 1, 2009 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home, Iron Mountain. Parish prayers will be offered at 5:30 p.m. and the Daughters of Isabella will recite the rosary at 6:00 p.m. There will be a time of sharing stories and memories of Evelyn following the prayer service. Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 2 at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home, and at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary & St. Joseph Church. Burial will be in Cemetery Park in Iron Mountain. Evelyn's grandchildren will carry her to her final rest. Memorial donations may be made to The Caring House, a domestic violence shelter in Iron Mountain at 1305 S. Prospect Ave. Iron Mountain, MI 49801. Condolences may be expressed to the family of Evelyn Santini online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com. The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon and Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the funeral arrangements.