Evelina C. Menna, age 90 of Little Silver, died May 23, 2024, surrounded by her children. She was the devoted wife of Ennio Menna for 70 years and has rejoined him in heaven. Born Oct. 2, 1933, in Montefalcone nel Sannio in the Molise region of Italy, she was the daughter of the late Giovanni Cordisco and Maria Mascia Cordisco.
Evelina was a strong and courageous woman. She and Ennio emigrated in 1961 with their young family, moving first to Montreal, Canada, and then in 1963 to Red Bank. They purchased their dream home on Fox Hill Drive in Little Silver where they lived happily for 52 years. They returned to Red Bank to reside with their son in 2022.
Evelina was an artiste. She helped thousands of women look their best on one of the most important days of their lives, their wedding day. She created stylish couture for countless mothers of the bride, bridesmaids, prom attendees and others in the Two River area for generations. She was a master artist of her craft. She worked at Love Lane Bridal on Broad Street for decades. She loved her work and had a fierce work ethic.
She was a caring and giving woman who always put others first. She was a terrific cook, always hosting large family holidays and often making homemade pasta. Her most famous dish was her white lasagna with mini chicken meatballs. She and Ennio made delicious homemade charcuterie and wine. When their bountiful fig tree was replanted at the home of their loving next-door neighbors, the Swiss family, they discovered that it had symbolically grown into two trees, one for each of them, Evelina and Ennio.
Evelina was predeceased by her husband Ennio and her parents, Giovanni and Maria Cordisco. She is survived by her loving children, son and former Red Bank mayor Pasquale Menna of Red Bank; daughter and best friend Mary Menna Darveau, son-in-law Peter Darveau and the shinning stars of her life, her granddaughters Danielle and Nicole Darveau, all of Sudbury, Massachusetts; senior grand pup Lilly; her brothers, Lucio and Anselmo (Francine); cousin Clara Cordisco Menna of Montefalcone nel Sannio who was like a sister to her; and many nephews and nieces in the United States, Canada and Italy.
Evelina was a devout Roman Catholic and a parishioner of St. Anthony of Padua Church, Red Bank. She is now reunited with her loving husband and they will celebrate their 71st wedding anniversary in heaven June 18.
Visitation was held May 29 at Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. May 30 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 27 Oratory Way, Red Bank. Entombment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Middletown.
The article originally appeared in the May 30 – June 5, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
