Evelyn (nee Smith) (Piazza) Branshaw was called by those who passed before her on Oct. 3, 2019 to embark on her final adventure. She passed at the home of her youngest daughter, embraced in the love of family and caregivers. She was born Evelyn Irene Smith on Jan. 27, 1929 to Russel Smith and EthelContinue Reading
Evelyn (nee Smith) (Piazza) Branshaw was called by those who passed before her on Oct. 3, 2019 to embark on her final adventure. She passed at the home of her youngest daughter, embraced in the love of family and caregivers.
She was born Evelyn Irene Smith on Jan. 27, 1929 to Russel Smith and Ethel (nee Taylor) Smith and was a lifelong resident of Madison, WI. She attended and graduated from both Frank Allis School and East High School.
She loved to dance whereby she met the love of her life Sam Piazza whom she married in 1951. Together they raised four beautiful children and also operated the Pak-A-Sak Grocery and Deli for 29 years,
Ev's passion was world travel and she fully embraced it by traveling to all fifty states and six continents. She also loved dancing, the theater, and she especially loved any occasion that allowed her to be surrounded by her whole family. After Sam's death in 1983 she found a love for golf (where she got a hole-in-one!) and learned how to cross country ski. She remarried in 1992 to Richard Branshaw whom she snowbirded to Arizona with for many winters.
She was a beneficent matriarch to her close-knit family, using money from a sale of a car she won at a casino to treat her entire extended family to an Alaskan cruise. She also initiated a yearly family pilgrimage up North to “the cabins” which went on for 10+ years. She helped create many precious memories for her family who loved her greatly for it.
Ev was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Sam, her brothers Elwin Smith and Robert Smith, and also her in-laws Antonio and Caterina Piazza.
She is survived by her sister Carol Papke, Tony Papke (Carol's son), her three daughters Jacalyn (Tony) Gandolfo, Susan Piazza, Lori (Howard) Reddan, her son Michael Piazza, her grandchildren Jovita Gandolfo, Sam Masino, Asher Masino, Michael Piazza JR, Gina Gandolfo, Nicholas Piazza, Garrett Chitwood, Brittney Reddan, and Karina Piazza, and five great-grandchildren.
Her family would like to extend a special thanks to Ev's caregivers, Carol Daubs and Kristin “Hyacinth” Prusaitis, for their patient, loving attention to all of Ev's needs. Finally, thank you to SSM health hospice.
Tuschen-Newcomer Funeral Home
Sun Prairie 608-837-5400
www.newcomerfh.com
Jane Pattonwalsh
left a message on October 20, 2019:
As a kid, Pak-A-Sac was our local grocery. We bought a lot of candy!
Your parents were always nice to the kids. Later, I observed that same kindness that extended to the students.
Sorry for your loss.
Judith Sinise
left a message on October 14, 2019:
Dennis Cleven
left a message on October 10, 2019:
Signe Gronbeck-Johnson
left a message on October 10, 2019:
Dennis Lee Cleven
left a message on October 10, 2019:
Your condolence may need to be approved before it appears on this page. It may not appear immediately once submitted.
Jane Pattonwalsh
left a message on October 20, 2019:
As a kid, Pak-A-Sac was our local grocery. We bought a lot of candy!
Your parents were always nice to the kids. Later, I observed that same kindness that extended to the students.
Sorry for your loss.
Judith Sinise
left a message on October 14, 2019:
Dennis Cleven
left a message on October 10, 2019:
Signe Gronbeck-Johnson
left a message on October 10, 2019:
Dennis Lee Cleven
left a message on October 10, 2019:
Your condolence may need to be approved before it appears on this page. It may not appear immediately once submitted.
Your condolence may need to be approved before it appears on this page. It may not appear immediately once submitted.
Thank you for leaving a condolence..
Your comment has been submitted for moderation.