Evelyn Born Puleo

Evelyn was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She married the love of her life, Peter Andrew Puleo, on June 23, 1956, and together they shared 64 years of marriage until his death on November 25, 2020.

Evelyn earned a B.S. degree in Education from Washington University. Following her graduation, she taught at the Central Institute for the Deaf, where she focused her work on children with aphasia. Later, during the years her children attended Our Lady of the Pillar Grade School, Evelyn served as head librarian. In that role, she introduced standardized cataloguing methods and significantly expanded the school’s collection, leaving a lasting impact on generations of students.

As a woman of commitment to life and dignity, Evelyn was a founding member of Our Lady’s Inn Maternity Home, established in 1982 as a safe haven for pregnant women and their children. She remained actively involved as a volunteer and board member for several more years, helping guide the mission and growth of the organization.

Evelyn was an avid gardener and world traveler, and she was quite passionate about needlepoint, shopping, and chocolate. She also spent time volunteering at the St. Louis Zoo. She enjoyed entertaining friends, old and new, and was a gracious host to foreign visitors through the Council on World Affairs.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Peter, and her daughter, Mary Evelyn “Mev” Puleo.

She is survived by her children Laura Krueger, Peter Puleo and his wife Melissa, and Rose Puleo Kocis and her husband Gary; her ten grandchildren; and one great-grandchild, all of whom will remember her generosity and dedication to family and community.

Evelyn’s legacy lives on through the lives she touched as an educator, volunteer, mother, and friend.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Our Lady’s Inn, https://ourladysinn.org/donate-now/

A visitation will be held on January 7, 2026, from 9:00 am to 10:00 am at Our Lady of the Pillar Catholic Church, located at 401 S Lindbergh Blvd, Creve Coeur, Missouri, 63141.

The funeral mass will follow at the same location, starting at 10:00 am.

The committal service will take place on the same day at Calvary Cemetery & Mausoleum, 5239 W Florissant Ave, St. Louis, MO, 63115.