Evelyn M. Lechene went home on February 13, 2015. Born on December 9, 1921, she was a loving, loyal, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and friend. Preceded in death by husband Henry, her siblings: sisters Emily and Miriam, and brothers Earl, Bill, Albert, Clyde, Bobby, Harold, Warren and Kermit, and predeceased step daughters Marjorie and Beverly. She is survived by daughter Cindy Turvy (Naomi Weinert), step son Richard (Beverly), step daughters Carole Gilbert, and Sandra Donnelly. Grandchildren include: Barry Turvy (Diane), Kathy Novella, David Novella, Shawn Lechene (Kelia), Kimberly Noel (Larry), Cheri Potonic (Ron), Kelli Meginnis, Loren Thomason (Sharon), Mescal Jarrett, Daniel, Matthew (Terri), Jonathan (James Tasker), Christopher, Benjamin, and Adam Langham and Lorinda Lavigne (Matt), and a special young lady Maureen Michael Ruhlin; plus 25 great grandchildren and 10 great great grandchildren, a host of nieces and nephews, and grand nieces and nephews. Evelyn was quite an avid quilter and managed to bring together and be the center of the patchwork of her family who are a variety of "shapes, fabrics, checks, stripes, and prints". She loved us with all of her heart. Evelyn received her education degree from (then) Kutztown State Teachers College, in Kutztown, PA., and was the first in her family to go to college. She also worked in the college "Tea Room" to help pay her college tuition and sent money home. She began her career in a one room school (grades 1-8). She forged new ground as there were few examples in rural America of working women since women usually married. She spent 6 years teaching in eastern PA., 10 years in the inter-city of Cleveland, and 16 years in Chardon, OH. She loved to see the children progress. She retired on July 1, 1978 after 32 years as an elementary teacher. After retirement, Evelyn loved having fun with the Geauga County Retired Teachers Association, the Geauga County Senior Center, and the Hilliard Senior Center. She herself skipped second grade in her own one room school because she told the new teacher that she belonged in third grade. She was smart too. She was a strong woman, humble, a forward thinker and a great educator. Growing up, she played baseball with her brothers on the farm and in college played field hockey, soccer, and basketball. Evelyn was particularly good at field hockey. Grandma, as she was affectionately known, spent 42 years on a small farm in Geauga County in Hambden Twp. She enjoyed growing fruits and vegetables for sale. She was the 2005 Grand Marshall of the Hambden Memorial Day Parade. The best part of her life was with Henry Lechene. They married in 1967 and traveled the world after they both retired. Recently she told someone her favorite trip was to New York City where they were able to see a taping of the Johnny Carson show and stood on Times Square for New Year's Eve. The one thing she did regret was not going into outer space. A special memory as an adult was going to Kansas City Royals baseball games in Cleveland when they came to town to play the Indians; a nephew was a KC player and coach. She followed the nephew when he was in the minor leagues' as well. And she was an avid Indians fan and watched them on TV whenever they were on even while living in Hilliard. Hobbies and activities included bingo, pinochle, and Triominos (she would beat the socks off of anyone). She volunteered for the American Red Cross (28 years in Geauga County and 2 years in Columbus). Evelyn was a TOPS/KOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly/Keep Off …) member and leader. While living independently in Hilliard from 2005 to 2011, she often took walks in the community park and picked up litter even while using a walker. Hilliard Parks and Recreation recognized her service to the community by giving her free summer pool passes. One day while doing her service, some boys were skateboarding when one board got loose and struck Grandma in the ankle. It required 21 stitches. She was known as "skateboarding Grandma". Evelyn loved her activities with the Young at Heart through Resurrection Lutheran church. While in assisted living, she felt it was like living in a college dorm, and loved the activities: bingo, sightseeing, games, ice cream, crafts, crossword puzzles and bingo and attended church services of all denominations as her parent God was important to her. A memorial service will be on Saturday, March 21, at 12:00 at the Resurrection Evangelical Lutheran Church, 3500 Main St, Hilliard Ohio, 43026, 614-876-7926. It is about 2 miles North of I-70. Relatives and friends will be received an hour before. A luncheon will follow. A second memorial service will be on Saturday, March 28, at 1:00 pm, at Evelyn's home church in Chardon, Celebration Lutheran Church, 10621 Auburn Rd, Chardon, Oh 44024, 440-285-5402. Friends and relatives will be received an hour before the service. A luncheon will follow. There will be items on display at both services reminding us of Evelyn's life and handiwork. Bring any pictures you want to share, or upload them on to the Life Tributes at: www.orwoodyard.com. In lieu of flowers, friends and relatives may make a memorial donation to Hambden Elementary School. Please make checks payable to Chardon Local Schools, in the memo line write Hambden Elementary School. Memorial gifts may be sent to: Chardon Local Schools, Ashley Brudno, Treasurer, 428 North St, Chardon, OH 44024. For up to date information, go to www.orwoodyard.com