Mrs. Evelyn W. (Haday) Srour

Mrs. Evelyn W. (Haday) Srour, age 91, was reunited with her beloved Joe when she passed away on Wednesday, May 4, 2016 at the Presbyterian Home for Central NY. At the time of her passing, she was surrounded by the love of her four daughters. Born in Utica on July 8, 1924, Evelyn was the daughter of the late Elias and Angeline (Basile) Haday. She attended Conkling Grammar School and was a member of the 1st graduating class of T.R. Proctor High School in 1941. On April 13, 1947 she married Joseph G. Srour; they were a perfect match and adored each other from the moment they met. Their love was evident to everyone who knew them. Her beloved Joe passed away on April 13, 2001, on their 54th wedding anniversary. During her working life, Evelyn was employed as a waitress for many years, notably at The China Inn and the Hotel Utica. She loved being a mom and was fortunate enough to be able to stay at home to raise her children while her husband Joe ran the family business, Jim’s Hardware downstairs. As her children grew, she returned to work for UNIVAC Corp., and then was a personal secretary at Metropolitan Life Insurance Company in the Human Resources Department. During her retirement years, she served as a ‘Super Sampler’ at the Price Chopper Supermarket, until the age of 83; many will remember Evelyn as the cute little lady with a pleasant personality, a smile, and a tasty tidbit for customers. Evelyn was also an Election Inspector for Oneida County and the Utica City School District until the age of 90. Evelyn was compassionate and appreciated the values of family life. She was a selfless woman in so many ways, and she had a thankful heart. She looked at the positive aspects of things and taught her family to enjoy and appreciate life. She had a zest for living and accepted whatever challenges came her way. She loved deeply and made others feel special. Evelyn embraced the principles in her “Evelyn’s Book of Etiquette”, which she often shared with her daughters. She was non-judgmental and accepting, but was not afraid to speak her mind. Her home was always open to family and friends. She enjoyed making homemade Syrian food for her family, or just having friends over for a cup of coffee and a game of cards around her kitchen table. Evelyn had an active social life, including league bowling with her husband, family picnics, casino trips (a tradition she began with her husband and continued to the present time), 1000 piece puzzles, Rummikub with her girlfriends on Saturday nights, pitch tournaments with Dolores, Angela, and her partner Michael, and her evening ritual of Sudoku. She was contemporary and connected to 21st century technology — she loved using her iPad; playing slots and Words With Friends, looking at Facebook photos and posts, and having conversations with Siri! Her favorite television programs included Judge Judy, Steve Harvey, The Bachelor, Dancing With the Stars, Chopped, American Idol (yes, she voted), and Wheel of Fortune. She was an active member of the Syrian-American Club, and the IAM. She attended St. Basil’s Melkite Catholic Church. Evelyn’s greatest achievement in life was being able to attend the special moments in the lives of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was so proud of all their accomplishments, and now, with Joe by her side, she will continue to love, from above. Evelyn is survived by her four daughters and sons-in-law, Dolores Dorozynski of Utica, Angela and Michael Keuerlaber of Clinton, Christine and Bob Tees of Jacksonville, FL, and Denise and Jim Brennan of Camillus; she was a loving grandma to Lynn Dorozynski-Clement, Kristin and John Geis; Karyn and Don Gilbert, Kelly and Randal Bailey, and Sam Famolaro; Becky and Dave Mannschreck, Michael Tees and David Ecker; Emily and Tom Paolini, and Joe Brennan. She was an adoring Sitto to her great-grandchildren, Zachary, and Breelyn Clement; Tyler, Trevor, and Taryn Geis; Saige, and Luke Gilbert; Evelyn, and Oliver Bailey; Jaxson Mannschreck; and Dawson Paolini. She will also be remembered by her nieces and nephews who she loved dearly, including Charlie Hickel; her great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and in-laws, Josie Serour, and Basil and Dottie Serour. She was also blessed with many wonderful friends, especially remembering Jane Doti, Marie Robertaccio, Rose Vanno, and Madeline and Dick Garofalo. She was predeceased by her brother and sister-in-law, Thomas and Marie Haday; sisters and brothers-in-law, Sarah and Ame Carrock, Anna and George Bahouth, and Nora and Robert Harwell; and her in-laws, James and Frances Serour, Anthony Serour, Michael Srour and Marion Srour-Sherwood, Julia Srour, Susan and Anthony Sandouk, Anne and Bob Dahrea, Marie Klockowski, and baby Mary Srour; and her niece and dear friend, Agnes “Aggie” Hickel. The family extends sincere appreciation to her grandson, Dr. Michael Tees whose guidance was a blessing, Dr. Fred Talarico, Pat Rosati/NP, Dr. Scott Brehaut and the staff of the St. Luke’s Acute Rehabilitation; the caretakers of the Presbyterian Home including Nurse Practitioners Diane Hilton and Phyllis Christopher, all the nurses, nurse assistants and support staff of the Aspen and Maple wings, all the departments, including Rehabilitation, Activities, Nutrition, and Social Services, Mr. Rick Buck, and all the dedicated staff of the facility. Each of them treated Evelyn with much love and respect and her family is forever grateful; and Fr. Joe Salerno, Rev. Tom Lorenz, and Fr. Saba Sofany, and her nephew Danny Klockowski for their spiritual guidance and solace. Visitation will be held Sunday from 4:00-7:00 at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. Evelyn’s funeral service and Celebration of Life will commence on Monday morning at 10:30 from the funeral home and at 11:30 at the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes where her Mass of Christian Burial will be offered by Rev. Joseph Salerno. Interment will take place in Calvary Cemetery at the convenience of the family.

Mrs. Evelyn W. (Haday) Srour

July 8, 1924 - May 4, 2016