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WEISS EVELYN CATHERINE
EVELYN CATHERINE WEISS
Evelyn Weiss (nee Bozyk) 93, of Russell Township, formerly of Bainbridge Township, passed away March 2 at Holly Hill in Newbury. She was a charming and colorful lady residing in the Chagrin Valley for over 80 years. Surviving nearly all her peers, she graciously and with overwhelming strength of character and mind finally succumbed peacefully from a series of many long and debilitating illnesses. Born in Cleveland, the family had the foresight to move the Chagrin Valley where other family members were established. Her Uncle John Podojil was Mayor of Orange for several terms. She attended Orange School. In the 8th grade she produced an award-winning charcoal drawing of a German shepherd, initiating her life's future desire to be an artist and love of animals. Moving to the McConoughey pioneer home in Bainbridge Township , the first house built in the township in 1809, she found a secret room papered with newspapers headlining abolitionist John Brown of the 1860s. Her love of reading and history was intensified from this very personal experience of real history.
Working at Graphite Bronze during World War II she met Edward Weiss, a chemical engineer. They married and Donna was born. Evelyn began collecting and selling antiques as a Chagrin Falls garage and estate sale pioneer. She then began helping her mother, Stella Bozyk, the first vendor at Aurora Farm Market at their stand. Evelyn was a true animal lover and gave or found homes for many stray dogs and animals working for inexpensive or donated neutering and working against animal testing. Later years brought continued antiquing, avid collecting, a closeness to the earth in gardening and helping her daughter in the restaurant and concession business … taking it over when Donna went to work in Washington D.C.
Her dream was to travel and that she did, visiting over 70 countries, many several times. She struck a friendship with Allison and Peter Ratcliff, President of Princess Cruises, transplanted and propagated her prized Irish roses, and fished for piranha in the Amazon. Cruises all over the world brought far-reaching and long lasting friendships as with Anna Maria Stanczyk, a renowned concert pianist, bringing personal invitations and seats to Carnegie Hall, London and Warsaw concerts and the composer of Perry Como's hit "Hot Diggity Dog Diggity Boom What You Do to Me" residing in the Kingdom of Tonga.
The joy of her life was her grandson, Christian. She survived to witness his graduation from Weatherhead School of Business in 2008 and hoped to last to his graduation from Case Western Reserve School of Law in 2011. She taught him that your word is your bond and, with all her heart, she wanted to teach others that creed.
She was a curious, always questioning, talented and gracious lady with a heart of gold, wearing her white collars and pearl earrings, always using a handkerchief and leaving an impression on everyone she met. She was a lady of flavor, whether it was meatloaf , her herb garden, decorating style and balance, jewelry, travel, appreciating cultures and their contributions to our lives and history. Her mental acuity and desire to learn and teach was exceptional. What does a piranha really taste like?
She is survived by her sister, Mildred Hollis of Chardon; cousin, Mary Hrivnak of Solon; daughter, Donna Weiss Carson (Bunny) of Russell; grandson, Christian Carson of Cleveland Heights; and her constant companion, Maltese poodle, Titus.
A private service was held with burial at Riverview Cemetery in Russell.
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