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Life story

" Carmela was born in Paterson New Jersey in 1927. She was the daughter of Italian immigrants. Her father’s family had a silk fabric Mill in Paterson New Jersey. She was very proud of the DeNegri silk business trade (that is still in operation - since 1790 in Italy today )
During her youth her family relocated to Franklin Lakes, New Jersey to start organic farming, which her parents operated until their death in the mid 1970s.
Her wit and humor were her signature.
Carmela, preferred her more “Americanized” middle name Evelyn through her high school years. Evelyn played on the Ramsey high school basketball team. After graduating high school she worked for AT&T as a switchboard operator in New Jersey. She later moved to Florida & worked at the new Fountain Blue hotel Miami Beach , as a switchboard operator. While there, she met a wild eyed soldier at a military dance (John D.) She married John D McAuliffe in 1956 much to the dissatisfaction of her Italian mother, who had picked out a nice Italian boy that lived across the street.
John and Evelyn lived in Lake Worth, Florida were their first child Lucy was born in 1957. After relocating to New Jersey they had two sons; Jack in 1958 & Floyd in 1960.
During this time in New Jersey Evelyn was having a joyful yet taxing experience raising three small children. John held several jobs and served in the US Army Reserves, providing a home and adequately sustaining the family, yet struggling with maintaining stable employment. Evelyn suggested that he should go back into the military. After re-enlisting in the US Army in 1966 the family relocated to Colorado Springs, where they spent two years. In 1969 John was sent to Vietnam. Evelyn and her children moved back to New Jersey, closer to her Family. Evelyn worked for the phone company while raising three small children, while John served our country as a Combat Infantryman in the Vietnam War.
Upon his return from Vietnam John’s next military assignment took the family to Northern Virginia, where Evelyn secured a job with BELL telephone company as a Directory assistance operator while continuing to raise three children who were maturing into teenagers. In 1974 John had a major heart attack was medically discharged from the army.
Upon his release from military duty, in 1975 the family relocated to Merritt Island, Florida . Evelyn concluded her career with the phone company where she had worked on and off throughout many years.
John died in 1980 after a long series of heart attacks (he was 45 years young). Evelyn was widowed at 53 years old. Facing the necessity of solely providing for herself, she immediately enrolled in college and reinvented herself.
She was active in military support associations before, during, and after John’s death.
In 1985 she went to work (part time) for her son, Floyd’s new business. After moving to Saint Cloud, Florida in 2000, she helped him with the businesses administrative needs, where she continued to have a role until she turned 80 years old. She helped raise Floyd’s daughters, made friends with a new group of people, and was happy and comfortable in her new place.
As grand children started growing older and becoming adults her focus turned more and more to Family, realizing the joy of many friendships, and a constant flow of visitors at her home.
Evelyn was always available to comfort, guide and Unconditionally love her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and a plethora of friends. She often expressed her gratitude for the Love and support of her three children Lucy, Floyd and Jack, and four Grandchildren Michael, Bonnie, Stephen and Angela who were all faithful to help her in many small and occasional significant ways throughout her senior years.
She Was most proud to be a military wife & was very proud of the success and accomplishments of all of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and the family business Floyd had founded named Sonodepot Ultrasound.
Evelyn had great faith in her savior Jesus, God’s will, His plan and His grace!
She was a strong, strong woman, but lived and taught love and self responsibility .
Evelyn touched many lives. She will be remembered as a pillar of LOVE, strength , courage and inspiration !!! "