ZEPHYRHILLS, Fla. – Evelyn W. Gonyea, 69, beloved wife of Harold M. Gonyea, passed away at her home on Nov. 21, 2003, ending a courageous battle against cancer. She was born Aug. 7, 1934, in Hermon, N.Y., the daughter of Edward and Berdella Ware. She worked for New York Telephone before marrying her husband Harold in 1957. She and Harold began raising their family, initially in Gouveneur, N.Y., before moving to Brewer, in 1970. They resided there until moving to Zephyrhills, Fla. in 1992. She is survived by her husband of 46 years, Harold; son, Michael and his wife, Laurie, of Ellsworth; son, Paul and his wife, Vicki, of Hermon; son, David and his wife, Erin, of Lakeland, Fla.; son, Karl of Lakeland, Fla.; five grandchildren, Erin, Kellie, Casey, Clark and Keely; brother, Robert Ware and his wife, Mattie Lou of Texas City, Texas; sister, Joy Ware of Leesburg, Fla.; and many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; nieces, nephews and cousins. Evelyn especially enjoyed holidays and family gatherings from the time she was a child at her parents farm to big holiday meals with her children and grandchildren in her home in Brewer. She enjoyed reading, crafts, scrapbooking, sewing, knitting and holiday baking. Her specialty was brightly decorated sugar cookies for Christmas. After Harold’s retirement, they operated a woodworking business creating many beautiful crafts. In her later years, she especially enjoyed getting together with her sister and best friend, Joy, to work on craft projects and to bake. A Mass will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2003, at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Interment will be at Florida National Cemetery at a later date. The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25, at the Whitfield Funeral Home, Zephyrhills, Fla. Donations in her memory may be made to the Hernando/Pasco County Hospice, 7066 Fort King Road, Zephyrhills, FL 33541, in gratitude for the care and comfort they provided to Evelyn and her family.
EVELYN WARE GONYEA
