Obituary of Violet Evanovich

Violet F. Evanovich
April 22, 1926 - December 23, 2022
Resident of Santa Cruz
Violet F. Evanovich passed away peacefully at home with her family and close friends by her
side. She was 96 years old and lived a long, full, life. Violet was born in Banksville, New York
and lived in nearby Greenwich, Connecticut. She was the second born child to Francis and
Frances DiBella. Violet’s parents immigrated from Messina, Sicily to New York through the
iconic Ellis Island processing station. Violet was raised and schooled in Connecticut until the
family moved out west to California in 1946, settling in the Cupertino area. Violet’s parents
owned the Cupertino Market and Delicatessen on N. De Anza Blvd. When they were ready to
get out of the grocery business, they rented the building to a family who opened a donut shop
called Donut Wheel. You can still stop there and get a donut - so many generations of families
in the Santa Clara/Santa Cruz area remember it well.
Violet met her husband Sam while working at the family grocery store. After his discharge from
the Navy, he worked there part-time while going to the carpenter apprenticeship school. It
pretty much was love at first sight and they married in July of 1948. They loved to take day
trips to Santa Cruz to enjoy the beach town (and cooler weather) and eventually moved to
Santa Cruz in 1959. At this time they had two sons, Sam (Jr.) and Paul. Their third son, Michael,
was later born in Santa Cruz.
While raising their family of three boys, Violet got her real estate license and worked for M.C.
Hall and Sons on Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz. Sam became a union carpenter after
apprenticeship school and also got his contractor’s license. Violet would find vacant lots for
sale on the westside of Santa Cruz, and Sam would build houses. They were the perfect team.
During this time in their lives, they also were busy attending their sons many sports games.
When they eventually retired, they began to travel more. They visited Sicily, the Hawaiian
Islands, and spent a lot of time at their very favorite place, South Lake Tahoe.
Violet is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Sam M. Evanovich, who passed away
May 2011. She is survived by her three sons; Sam Evanovich Jr. and wife Liz of Santa Cruz,
Paul Evanovich of Santa Cruz, and Michael DiBella and wife Carole Scott of San Francisco.
She is also survived by four grandchildren; John Evanovich, Devon Evanovich, Celeste
Evanovich, and Nichole (Evanovich) Torres and husband David, and three great grandchildren;
Gabriella, James, and Henry Torres.
A Catholic Blessing Ceremony was held on December 30, 2022, at the Holy Cross Cemetery
and Mausoleum Chapel. Violet was laid to rest next to her beloved husband Sam, adjacent to
her parents Francis and Frances DiBella, and brother Charles DiBella and wife Mary. The family
wishes to thank the caregivers from Care From the Heart In Home Services, and the staff at
Hospice of Santa Cruz County for their support and compassionate care.
If you wish to honor Violet’s memory, donations can be made to Hospice of Santa Cruz County
(hospicesantacruz.org/donate-now) or calling 831-430-3000. You may also make a donation to
a charity of your choice.