Evelyn V. Mazzitelli, a cherished educator and former Teacher of the Year, passed away on January 5, 2024, at the age of 98. A lifelong Staten Island resident, Mazzitelli dedicated her life to teaching and nurturing generations of students, leaving an indelible mark on the community.
Born into a large family on Scribner Avenue in New Brighton, Mazzitelli was the fourth daughter of Rose (formerly Caporale) and Anthony Fressola. Her early experiences on Scribner Avenue shaped her views on education and family. Mazzitelli graduated from Curtis High School and later attended Hunter College, where she earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education.
Throughout her teaching career, Mazzitelli worked at two Staten Island schools: P.S. 34 and P.S. 13. She held various roles, including an administrative position at P.S. 13, where she was honored as Teacher of the Year in 1984, just two years before her retirement in 1986.
In 1952, Mazzitelli married Louis Mazzitelli, and together they had two daughters, Lois and Eva Lynn. The couple enjoyed 35 years of marriage before Louis’s passing in 1987.
Community Involvement and Legacy
After retiring from teaching, Mazzitelli became actively involved in several Staten Island organizations. She joined the Women’s Auxiliary at St. Vincent’s Hospital, now known as the RUMC Auxiliary, and the Women’s Auxiliary at Historic Richmond Town. Family members described her as an enthusiastic reader and a lover of the arts, frequently attending theater productions at Wagner College, Broadway, and New Jersey’s Paper Mill Playhouse.
Mazzitelli is survived by her brother, Michael, daughter Eva Lynn, son-in-law John Hayko, grandchildren Benjamin Louis and Emily Rose Forman, and great-grandson Henry Christopher. Her family expressed deep appreciation to the healthcare professionals who provided care during her later years, including Dr. Jomarie Zeleznik and Safeharbor Healthcare Services.
Mazzitelli’s funeral service will take place at Sacred Heart Church on January 12, 2024, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. She will be laid to rest at Moravian Cemetery, with her committal service scheduled from 11:45 a.m. to noon.
Her legacy as an educator and a community member will be remembered fondly by those who knew her.
