Evelyn R. Martucci

Evelyn Martucci, 84, passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday, June 29, 2010. Born on October 10, 1925 to an Irish Catholic family relatively new to America, Evelyn grew to be a beautiful woman of remarkable ability and grace. Although her father passed away when she was just seven, she embraced life fully in a spirited and optimistic manner.

As the youngest girl of six siblings, Evelyn was the favorite of all. She was passionate in her love of family and America. Growing up poor was not an easy path, but it was one that many of her generation understood and thought very little of as they grew into adulthood in the New York area.

On May 22, 1943, during World War II, she married her childhood sweetheart, Frank Martucci, who was then serving in the United States Navy in the Pacific. Frank and Evelyn were happily married for 60 years, until his passing in 2004. They were members of “The Greatest Generation,” and embodied what can only be experienced through sacrifice and challenging times. They were the proud parents of two sons, Michael and Billy. They delighted in their sons’ accomplishments.

Evelyn’s home was adorned with pictures of her sons and grandchildren and their activities. Evelyn’s life was lived in many ways through her children and grandchildren, and that was the way she wanted it to be. She embraced the various academic and sporting efforts and carried on the tradition of active participation throughout a variety of events in the years that followed the passing of her husband. Her graceful ability to embrace life in a spirited fashion was simply who she was and who her family became.

A lifelong learner, she followed national and world affairs avidly. She was a great American who loved America and fundamental American principles. As a young girl, one of Evelyn’s most vivid civic memories was to see President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in a parade where he grandly waved to the many people along the boulevards. Years later she met Robert Kennedy at a civic event in New York and shook his hand – a most memorable experience.

The home of Frank and Evelyn Martucci was a welcoming, dynamic center for family gatherings. Both inside the home and in the backyard, Frank and Evelyn’s grandchildren so enjoyed the company and spirit of their grandparents. The joy of living, embracing life, and the promise of the future were aspects of every visit. The future was bright and the grandchildren would create a better world, a more inclusive world, a world that spoke of hard work and respect for others, coupled with a faith that endures forever.

Evelyn and Frank were Easterners, having grown up and lived in the New York area all their lives until they moved to Kansas City to be with their grandchildren. They participated in every aspect of their grandchildren’s activities. This experience further enriched their lives. In so many ways, they lived the American Dream of fairness, opportunity, and inclusiveness. For them, the promise of the future was ever-bright with who their grandchildren would be and what this world would become.

In her bedroom there was an expression that captured much of Nanny’s later life. The expression states: “A Grandmother plays a special part in happy memories that warm the heart.” Nanny certainly fulfilled this in every way. She was a loving and generous woman.

She is survived by her two sons, Michael Martucci of Beijing, China and Bill Martucci of Kansas City, and her grandchildren, Daniel Robert, William Sessions, John Andrew, James Christopher, Andrew Michael, Matthew Peter, and Caroline Kenney. Services will be held on Friday, July 2, at the McGilley State Line Chapel, 12301 State Line Road, Kansas City, Missouri. Visitation will begin at 5 p.m. A memorial service celebrating Nanny’s remarkable life will be held at 6:30 p.m. The Rosary will be prayed at 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Kansas City.