Evelyn (Cleveland) Zani Liston

Evelyn I. Zani Liston (nee Cleveland) of Saugus, formerly Stoneham, beloved wife, sister, mother, Grammy, aunt, and cousin passed away peacefully just a few weeks shy of her 97th birthday, surrounded by her family.

Evelyn was born in Everett and was the daughter of James and Leone Cleveland.  She graduated from Everett High School in 1945 and was a member of “the 45ers”, with whom she shared many reunions as well as monthly luncheons at The Continental restaurant in Saugus.

Evelyn was a proud former employee of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and a lifelong volunteer.  While her children were in school, she volunteered as a Stamp Lady (remember those?) and the chairperson of the Hospitality Committee.  Later she spent 22 years as an AARP tax preparer, after which she volunteered at the Saugus polls in addition to volunteering at the Saugus Public Library for 10+ years.  In her spare time, Evelyn knitted and crocheted hundreds of preemie hats for local hospitals.

Evelyn loved to entertain, hosting many family celebrations, game nights and holidays at her home.  She enjoyed going out to eat with her cousins, Bob and Barb and her brother Law.  Evelyn was an avid reader and was a long-time member of the Stoneham Library Book Club.  She also enjoyed doing puzzles and never went anywhere without a Sudoku book.

Evelyn was the wife of the late John J. Zani as well as the late Douglas L. Liston.  She is survived by her children, MaryEllen Zani-Nicolopoulos and her husband John Nicolopoulos of Melrose, MA; her son, Drew Zani and his wife Melissa of Exeter, NH; her daughter, Pam Zani of Saugus, MA; and her step children, Ron Liston and his wife Gail of Jefferson, Ma; Linda Heaton of Tucson AZ; her stepdaughter-in-law Stephanie Liston of Smithfield, RI; her brother Lawrence Cleveland of Peabody, MA, her brother-in-law- Charles Taylor of Union ,Ohio; her grandchildren Alicia Zani-Conklin and her husband Joshua; Joseph Meallo; Ian Liston and his wife Margeret Chou; Rebecca DiJulia and her husband Christopher, Seth Liston and his wife Kelly; and cousins and best buddies Bob and Barb Bathelder.  Evelyn is the loving Grammy of Baylee, Aliana, Hayden, Lucia, Isla, Emme, Charlotte, Carter, Sophia, Garett, Katlyn and Lily.

In addition to her parents and husbands, Evelyn is predeceased by her brother Bernard Cleveland, her sister Phyllis Taylor, her sister-in-law Ann Cleveland and her stepson Andrew Liston.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Winchester Hospital for taking such good care of Evelyn.

Evelyn will be dearly missed by her family and friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to gather in honor of Evelyn during Visiting Hours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose, on Friday, Nov. 8 at 9am before leaving in procession to Blessed Sacrament Church, 14 Summer St., Saugus, for her Funeral Mass celebrated at 11am.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the ALS Association, 1300 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 600, Arlington, VA. 22209 and specify the Massachusetts Chapter, or your favorite charity.