EVELYN A. KANJARSKI – Obituary
Evelyn A. Kanjarski (nee Metzger), 95, of Franklinville, passed away on Saturday, December 1, at Bishop McCarthy Center for Rehabilitation and Healthcare in Vineland after a long battle with heart failure.
Born in Philadelphia in 1923, Evelyn has resided in Franklinville since age 9. She helped care for her younger brothers in her early life and worked at worked at Schneider’s Quality Bakery in Vineland before she met and married the love of her life, Charles A. Kanjarski, who preceded her in death in 2005. The couple built a home in Franklinville in 1956 and enjoyed 56 years of marriage. During that time, Evelyn worked for Newell Clothing in Vineland until her retirement in 1982.
While the couple had no children, Evelyn played a significant and loving daily role in the life of her adopted niece, Melissa Evelyn Smith, who later became her caregiver. Evelyn enjoyed being a homemaker, tending to her flower beds, feeding wild birds, cooking, baking, and taking trips to Atlantic City. In her retirement, she helped many elderly neighbors with errands and chores, bringing happiness and companionship to them. She hosted a family dinner at her home every Saturday and every holiday.
In addition to her husband, Charles, Evelyn was predeceased by her parents, Lucien and Jeannette Metzger (nee Iovochioni); her step-mother, Agnes Metzger (nee Cahill), who was a loving mother to her; her brothers Lucien Jr. (Clara Mae), Joseph (Margaret), William, and Gerald (Catherine); and her sisters, Loretta Smith (Donald), and Delores Bekeshka (William). Evelyn is survived by her brothers Raymond (Dorothy), Robert (Miriam), Lawrence (Linda), Eugene, Kenneth (Judie), Francis (Alicia), and Warren; her sister Lorraine Smith (Jack); and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to express sincere gratitude to the staff at Bishop McCarthy and Holy Redeemer Hospice for their care and compassion during the past seven months.
The family will greet relatives and friends on Friday, December 7, 2018, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at the Barclay Funeral Home, 208 Maple Street, Clayton, NJ. The funeral service will be at 12:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Committal service and burial will follow at Cedar Green Cemetery in Clayton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 1 Union Street, Suite 301, Robbinsville, NJ 08691 or the Gloucester County Animal Shelter, 1200 N Delsea Dr, Clayton, NJ 08312. Sign the guestbook and send condolences at BarclayFuneralHome.net.