Evalena Grace Michaels, nee Cleveland, 77, of Vero Beach, died Jan. 13, 2011, from the effects of post-polio syndrome at the VNA Hospice House, Vero Beach.
She was born Jan. 12, 1934, W. Conesville, Schoharie County, N.Y., to Leonard and Grace Crumb Cleveland.
‘Evie’ was the oldest of 6 children, raised in Oak Hill, N.Y. and East Durham, N.Y.
She graduated Greenville High School, Greenville, N.Y. in 1953.
She worked for Farm Family Insurance Company, Glenmont, NY, retiring after 35 years of proud work service.
Evie ‘grew up’ with Farm Family Insurance Co., starting work there when there were only nine employees, and the company was located in a small office in Delmar, NY.
Over the years, Evie had many interests, her most recent passions being golf and quilting.
She golfed at Winding Brook Golf Club, Valatie, NY, and Vista Plantation, Vero Beach.
She belonged to three quilting clubs; SunBonnet Sue Club, Vero Beach, and two informal clubs in upstate NY.
She made many beautiful quilts over the years for family and charity.
Evie is predeceased, by 40 years, by her former husband, Irving “Poncho” Dorenz.
Survivors include her loving husband of 26 years, Charles S. Michaels, formerly of East Greenbush, NY; her daughter, Margaret Dorenz Oliver (Gary), of Delmar, N.Y.; and step-children Patti Taylor, of Calgary, Canada, David Michaels (Marilyn), of Schodack, N.Y., Joan Michaels, of Schodack, N.Y., and Kathy Saybe (Jose), of North Greenbush, N.Y; her brothers Leonard Cleveland (Gloria), of Santaquin, Utah, Eugene Cleveland, of Oak Hill, N.Y., Richard Cleveland (Sue), of Sun City, Calif., Dennis Cleveland (Ginny), of Preston Hollow, N.Y; grandchildren Sommer Ingalls, of Delmar, N.Y. and Jacob Ingalls, of Tacoma, Wash., along with many step-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
She is predeceased by her brother LeRoy Cleveland (Gail) of East Durham, NY.
Memorial services are planned for Vero Beach and upstate NY.
The dates are to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Vero Beach VNA or the Easter Seals Society.
Arrangements are under the direction of Cox-Gifford-Seawinds Funeral Home and Crematory, Vero Beach, Florida.
Condolences may be sent through www.seawindsfh.com/obituaries.php