Obituary of Evelyn Cerra

Evelyn Cerra was born October 27, 1921 to Nicolo and Victoria Varrone. She was the youngest of four daughters: Sisters Ursula and Louise now deceased, and Lucy Varrone 100 years old survives. She grew up in Yonkers, NY surrounded by her aunts, uncles and cousins, all of whom lived nearby. She attended Yonkers schools, graduating from Yonkers High School of Commerce, Class of 1939. Evelyn was employed as a professional secretary by Markam Rollins at his insurance agency in Bronxville, NY. She never missed an opportunity to promote the importance of insurance to her children. She met Michael Cerra at a local CYO function, and they married at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Yonkers on January 21, 1951. The couple had three children together: Laurie Allen, Keith and Leland Cerra. Evelyn elected to stay at home giving all her attention to raising her family. Together, they especially enjoyed their annual two week family vacations at the Jersey shore in Lavallette and Columbus Day weekend trips to Mount Snow/Burlington Vermont. Birthdays, events, and holidays were always celebrated with extended family and made more memorable with favorite foods and Italian deserts. Evelyn enjoyed gardening and kept a small vegetable patch in the backyard each summer for many years. Family pets also received Evelyn's special attention. Over the years she cared for seven dogs, several parakeets, and gold fish. She had a humorous magnet on the refrigerator that said: "May I always be the person my dog thinks I am". Many of the neighbors will recall seeing Evelyn walking the family dogs (Rufus, Joshua, Rudy, Barney, Scout, Copper), which she did well into her eighties. Benny, the current family dog, kept Evelyn company in the house. As the years passed she became Grandma to Andrew and Carolyn Allen, and Kyla, Nicholas, Jenna, and Daniel Cerra. She recently earned Great-Grandma status to Victor Leibert. She mourned the loss of her long time husband Michael since his death in September 1998. The last several years have taken their toll on Evelyn's health leaving her frail but able to remain at home with the care of her son Leland, family, and friends. She passed from this world peacefully on August 18, 2019. The warmth, thoughtfulness and generosity of spirit never wavered during her lifetime…forever beloved by family and friends…this is how we will remember Evelyn Cerra.