Evelyn Anne Schonberg passed away quietly in her home on December 17, at the age of 93, surrounded by family.

A Newtown resident for over 60 years, Evelyn was born in April 1930 in Dublin, Ireland, to Henry V. Batt and Ina M. Batt. She is survived by her brother Robert Batt, and daughters Ina V. Schonberg, Caola M. Schonberg and Dervila A. Schonberg; as well as her five grandsons Brogan O’Brian Butler, Max Khanjari, Salah Khanjari, Tarik Khanjari and Brendan Montano.

She was predeceased by Max Schonberg in October 2019, as well as her siblings Marian Cosgrave and Kevin Batt.

Evelyn is remembered by many for her strong spirit, her love of the wild hills and cold seas of Ireland, and her spicy directness and humor. She enjoyed country Sunday drives and time by the ocean. After leaving schools in Dublin, Armagh, and a year in Belgium, she secured a suitable job in the Bank of Ireland and was soon stylishly zipping around Dublin on her Vespa in the 1950s. She decided to emigrate with her best friend Bernadine and traveled by ship to Montreal where she made life-long friends and met her future husband. Evelyn and her friend at 5 Catherine St all married up and became family.

Evelyn was involved in a variety of volunteer activities while raising her three daughters, serving as a Girl Scout Leader for many years. She helped with renovations at St Rose School, and as an early and long-supporting member of the Newtown Food Coop in the 1970s. She was a remarkable seamstress, turning out everything from dresses and gowns to coats and curtains, as well as knitting and embroidery. She continued to enjoy camping and ice skating with her girls, and later hiking for many years with the Newtown Hiking Club. In addition to regular visits home to Ireland, Evelyn shared mid-life adventures with her husband. Evelyn enjoyed swimming in the sea until she was in her early 80s. She spent over 50 summers at Green Hill Beach in Rhode Island, where she hosted her grandsons and delighted in watching them frolic in the waves.

A Memorial Mass will be held at St Rose of Lima Church, 46 Church Hill Road in Newtown, on January 3, at 12 noon. A virtual option will also be available at strosechurch.com (PW: VOICE OF ST ROSE).