Our Mother, Nonni and Zia, Eva Lillian Cecarrelli Scarselli went home to her loved ones on June 15, 2011. Eva was born Nov. 17, 1917, at her childhood home in Sparks to Italian immigrants Isola and Nello Ceccarelli of Lammari, Italy. Eva learned to speak English while in elementary school, attended Sparks High School and graduated with an education degree from UNR. She earned the French Honor Medal for her advanced studies.
Eva was a teacher at Robert Mitchell Elementary School in Sparks and various elementary schools in Carson City. During the WWII years, Eva would write letters for an Italian family to their son who was a soldier in the Philippines. When the soldier returned home he met his translator and they were later married. Eva and Gene Scarselli were married for 40 years. They worked in area high schools and elementary schools until Gene became superintendent of schools in Eureka County. They lived in a converted morgue and upgraded to a converted barn that had dirt floors and no indoor plumbing, Gene became a carpenter quickly! Gene later took a job as superintendent of Douglas County Schools and moved to Gardnerville where there they remained for 30 years.
Eva's passion was local history and she was an active member of the Carson Valley Historical Society and instrumental in its beginnings. She served as a docent, publicist and curator over the years, working closely with Grace Dangberg, author and historian, on many of her books. Eva was a past member of the Carson Valley Literary Club, St. Gall Altar Society, RSVP, Past Membership Chairman of the American Heart Association, English as a Second Language teacher and Sparks Heritage Museum member. Eva was an avid gardener, her yard was immaculate, always fresh flowers on her table. Making homemade ravioli, torta and biscotti were her specialty and were staples for the family gatherings that were loud and boisterous and enjoyed by many. Her gentleness and kindness will be dearly missed. Eva was predeceased by her parents, brother Ugo, and husband Gene.
She leaves behind her son Roland (Tina) Scarselli, daughter Anna (Frank) Lawrence; grandchildren Angela and Laura Scarselli, Brette Lawrence, Ryan Hester and Kimathi Hester, brother Raymond Ceccarelli; nephew Brian Ceccarelli, niece Janice Micou, great-nephew Jacque Rials, and her beloved Charlotte (Doug) Bass and many other cousins in the Reno/Sparks area and Italy.
Eva requested donations be made, in her name, to the Gene L. Scarselli Elementary School, 699 Long Valley Road, Gardnerville, NV 89460. Flowers are welcome! Service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 22, 2011, at Walton's Funeral Home, 875 W. 2nd St. Interment to follow at Our Mother of Sorrows Mausoleum, 2700 N. Virginia St.
