Obituary of Evelyn L. Stiff

A committal ceremony will be held for longtime Santa Cruz resident, Evelyn Stiff, who passed away peacefully at the age of 102, with her loving family at her bedside. Born in Edgerton, Wisconsin, she taught school there in a one room schoolhouse before moving to California in the 1940's. Evelyn attended Cabrillo College and later graduated from San Jose State University where she earned her California teachers credentials. For more than 25 years she was a much loved grade school teacher at Valencia School in Aptos. Her students and their parents were the benefactors of her devotion and dedication. Following her retirement, she enjoyed seeing her former students and their children when they stopped by or greeting her during day to day encounters.

Evelyn was a longtime member of Phi Delta Kappa national sorority. She was a avid quilter, and a member of the quilting group, Finger Jabbers. She cherished the many friendships she made there. She loved gardening and was proud of her beautiful flowers and grounds, which brought about many birds she never forgot to feed. She thoroughly enjoyed working the daily sudoku, crosswords, and seven little word puzzles. 

She is survived by her two sons and daughters in law, John (Randy) and Nellie Stiff of Lockeford CA; and Rick and Anna Stiff of Kauai. She also leaves four grandchildren: Spencer Stiff, Robbie Phillips, Miguel Stiff, and Tonya Holdren, along with five great grand children and many nieces, nephews and their families.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband John Stiff in 2003.  She will be laid to rest beside her husband at the California Central Coast Veteran's Cemetery in Seaside California.
Please visit the Benito and Azzaro homepage to share your condolence and reflections with her family.