Evelyn Norma Kaden's Obituary
Evelyn Norma Kaden passed away peacefully at Menorah Park Hospice on April 30, 2020 with her husband of 56 years, Milton, by her side.
Evie was born in Brooklyn, NY to Ethel and Isidore Steinberg on February 27, 1934. After graduating from Midwood High School, she attended Brooklyn College and graduated with Bachelors and Masters degrees in Education. Evie enjoyed working with children and adored her job teaching 3rd grade in Brooklyn while spending summers working at Tamiment, a resort in the Pocono Mountains of PA.
In 1963 Evie met the love of her life, Milton, while vacationing at Green Mansions resort in the NY Adirondack Mountains. Their long-distance romance between Cleveland & New York City resulted in marriage on December 28, 1963. Evie moved to Cleveland, first living in Mayfield Heights where daughter, Sherry, was born and then second daughter, Jennifer, was born soon after settling into Richmond Heights, where she remained for the rest of her life.
Evie’s first teaching job in Cleveland was at Moreland Elementary School in Shaker Heights and she later continued substitute teaching at various elementary schools in the Cleveland Public School District, frequently taking on long-term assignments at Case Elementary and Miles Standish Elementary Schools.
Evie had a flair for drama and a larger-than-life personality. She was kind-hearted, gregarious and had a quick wit. Those who knew her often described Evie as a "hoot". She loved acting and performed in many small theater productions with the Richmond Heights Little Theater and East Cleveland Little Theater. She eagerly signed up to be an extra in any film production that arrived in Cleveland. There are scenes in two films where Evie can definitely be spotted, Those Lips Those Eyes and Telling Lies in America.
Evie enjoyed playing Mahjong with friends and throughout her life participated in a wide range of volunteer activities including being a USO hostess during the Korean War, Brownie & Girl Scout Leader, Richmond Heights Neighborhood Block Watch and volunteering at Richmond Heights Hospital. She and Milt also enjoyed volunteering every week as ushers at the Front Row Theater in Highland Heights. Evie often found a way to sneak backstage to meet the celebrities who performed there.
Evie and Milt loved to travel and explored much of the U.S. and Canada in a pop-up camper with their daughters and later spent retirement years traveling in their RV. They enjoyed warm winters in Tarpon Springs FL.
Evie loved creative writing and was a voracious reader. She was continually interested in furthering her education and enjoyed taking classes at Tri-C’s Encore Senior Adult Education Program and got creative with her friends each summer at Homemakers Camp.
Evie loved to tell jokes and kept everyone around her entertained. She had an infectious laugh and loved making people smile. It was no surprise when she enrolled in Clown School in her 70s. She was one of the few Jews in Saint Paschals Baylon Clown Ministry.
Evelyn is survived by her husband Milton, her daughters Sherry Kahn (spouse: Brad) and Jennifer Kaden along with granddaughters Erika Kahn and Alexandra Kahn, her brother Jerome Steinberg and nieces, Susan Steinberg and Janet Prajzner. She is preceded in death by her parents Ethel and Isidore Steinberg.
Contributions in Evelyn’s memory can be made to Menorah Park Hospice.
What’s your fondest memory of Evelyn?
What’s a lesson you learned from Evelyn?
Share a story where Evelyn's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Evelyn you’ll never forget.
How did Evelyn make you smile?