Our beloved Evelyn Jensen, born to Italian immigrants, Francesco Giuseppe Mantello and Carmela Laurati Infelise in Sault Ste Marie, Canada on September 21, 1924, passed peacefully at the age of 99 on September 4, 2024 — her 81st wedding anniversary, in the family home of over 70 years in the company of her son Donald Jensen, daughter-in-law Laura and granddaughter Brennen, following a joyous week of celebration, laughter and connection with family. She is now reunited in heaven with her previously deceased loved ones, including her loving husband, Vernon and her sister, Gloria.

Evelyn — Evy, Nona, Nonna, Auntie Honey, Billie — was a beloved Italian grandmother, mother, sister, friend, neighbor, believer in Jesus, and the consummate "Nona" to all she encountered. To know her was indeed to love her; to be filled with her boundless and unconditional love. Evelyn always made you feel seen, valued and special.

An avid lover of song, music and dance, from Willie Nelson to Benny Goodman, Evelyn is two-stepping into heaven with her loving husband, Vernon (taken too soon), to continue their time-honored tradition of dancing cheek to cheek in their living room of life. She is joined by her late sister and best friend, Gloria Ruiz who awaits with a bowl of fresh pasta, a perfectly set table and seven million of their closest friends. Her nephew Jesse Ruiz, will have meticulously decanted the wine, while daughter-in-law Suzanne Calley will extend her hand to leap joyfully cloud to cloud and show her all of her favorite vistas.

Besides her husband, Evelyn was predeceased by her eight sisters and two brothers — Marianna, Elvira "Vera", Mafalda "Muffy", Algisa "Argi", Lucy, Irene, Gloria, Frank, brothers-in-law Al and Jack, daughter-in-law Suzanne, and nephew Jesse.

Evelyn and Vernon Jensen met during WWII and were married in 1943. They lived in Michigan, Canada, Georgia, Hollister and Santa Cruz, before settling in Gilroy, CA where they resided for the majority of their life. They were married for 57 years.

Nona was the matriarch in a house of matriarchs, in a multigenerational home where she raised three sons and five grandchildren. Family was her heart center and the engine of her life joy; it was family that she would praise, defend and celebrate at every turn. She delighted in the happenings of all, celebrated every accomplishment big and small, and offered wisdom and solace in times of struggle.

She urged — be true to your family and friends. In a word, love them.

A night-owl and prolific reader, Evelyn could often be found with a book in hand — first as a child, reading under the covers with a flashlight; then as an adult, reading on the porch, under trees, or in her living room arm chair until the wee hours of the night. She read the daily newspaper cover to cover — a practice she shared with her daughter-in-law, Laura, with whom she shared a home for over 44 years. When she packed for one of her many trips with Vernon throughout her long life, she always packed two suitcases — one for her clothes and effects, the other for her books.

Evelyn was an extremely outgoing and caring person. She was the embodiment of kindness. As a proud Italian grandmother, she loved making her renowned pasta sauce, and all were welcomed at her table. Worried someone might go hungry, there was always a delicious meal in the making, and second helpings to be dished out to all.

Evelyn never met a stranger; from the person in the grocery checkout stand to her great grandchildren — to meet our Nona was to become the most important person in the room, at once immediately uplifted, humbled, peaceful and filled with her love.

Nona is survived by her three sons, Jim (Gen), Donald (Laura), and Frank (Debbie), sisters-in-law Lois (Jack), Angie (Al) and Ruth (Virgil), as well as her eight grandchildren Asheleigh (Bob), Whitney (John), Brennen (Finn, Alex), Hillary (Brian), Douglass (Allegra), Adam (Patience), Stephanie (Paul), and Kevin (Najdt), and great-grandchildren Madeline, Bronwynne, Evelyn, Sawyer, Daxton, Dakota, Michael, Zachery, Big Michael, Joe, Max, Clarissa, Samuel, Seath and Luca, numerous nieces and nephews and large extended family. She leaves us with the essential life wisdom embodied in the generosity, love and care with which she lived her life: Be kind to each other.

A funeral mass will be held at Saint Mary's Church in Gilroy on Friday, September 20th at 10am.

The family would like to extend special gratitude to Olga, Breda and the entire Redwood Hospice team for their loving care of our Nona in her final days. Donations can be made in her name to: Wounded Warriors or Salvation Army or your local PBS station.

In lieu of donations, Nona requests that you invite your family over for dinner and hug them.

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