Eva A. Palumbo

Born on January 28, 1938, in Brooklyn, New York, to Giacinto (“Jack”) and Caterina (née Bomba) Giacalone, Eva was originally named Vitina after her paternal grandmother.

As a spirited young girl, “Little Eva” was a proud tomboy who loved playing sports. Her mother was an exceptional woman—kind, loving, and thoughtful—and Eva cherished inheriting her blue eyes. Her father—gentle and soft‑spoken—was a beer‑barrel maker who walked her to school each day and surprised the family with cakes from a bakery on Chauncy Street. Her older brothers adored her. Sal taught her to dance and gifted her a treasured radio, and she gladly did his chores in return. Dave passed down his bicycle, which she rode proudly. It was a wonderful childhood.

Eva grew up in Canarsie, Brooklyn, until moving to Rockland County in 1969. Her years as an executive secretary for a bank president filled her with pride, but it was her deep Catholic faith, strong spirit, and generous heart that defined her–especially in the kitchen. Her scratch-made Christmas cookies, apple cake, zucchini pie and Irish soda bread were legendary, and she shared them often with family and friends simply because, as she often reminded others, “Just be kind, it doesn’t cost anything.”

Eva also took great pride in maintaining a meticulous home and spent many years beautifying the community where she lived. She loved music, dancing, rooting for the Mets, playing slots, Take 5, and Mahjong, but above all, she loved her family.

Eva is survived by her loving husband of 35 years, Victor Palumbo; her brother, Salvatore Giacalone (Angelina); and many cherished nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and godchildren. She was predeceased by her parents, her first husband, Peter Giamanco, and her brother, Lodovico (Dave).

A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, May 29, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, followed by burial at Ascension Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Heart of the Nation, Tunnel to Towers Foundation, or Wounded Warriors.

Eva will be remembered for her warmth, strength, faith, and the love she shared so generously with all who knew her.