Cover photo for Evelyn McDonald Scalise Benedetti's Obituary
Evelyn McDonald Scalise Benedetti Profile Photo
1929 Evelyn 2014

Evelyn McDonald Scalise Benedetti

January 18, 1929 — November 15, 2014

Obituary for Evelyn McDonald Scalise Benedetti

– Evelyn passed away Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014, just two months shy of her 86th birthday. Born Jan. 18, 1929, she was the youngest of five children born to Clarence Cullen McDonald and Caroline Agnes Leschinsky McDonald. She was a third generation Montanan, her grandparents having settled in Hellgate and Garnet in the late 1800s. She was raised in the Potomac Valley, where she attended Potomac Grade School and later Missoula County High School.

Evelyn was married and later divorced from James Thomas Scalise and is survived by him and their three children, Barry (Carolyn Hinkle) Scalise of Kirkland, Washington, Vicki Scalise of Seeley Lake and Pamela Scalise Reecer (Curt) of Missoula. She is also survived by her loving grandchildren, Camille, Tyler (Piper) and Trevor Scalise of Kirkland, Hilary Scalise and great-grandson Zakery Scalise of Missoula.

As a military family, they spent time on the island of Oahu, Honolulu, Hawaii, where Evelyn was a volunteer for the Red Cross, helping to organize entertainment and activities for the military and airmen stationed at Hickam Air Force Base. She held many fond memories of the Islands and was able to return there several times over the years.

Evelyn worked for the Missoula Mercantile (The Bon Marche) for over 25 years where she became its first female manager and later its first female buyer. She went on to work many years for First Security Bank before her retirement.

Evelyn later married Robert Gene Benedetti who preceded her in death in 2007. She was also preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Clarence and Donald McDonald; sisters, Bonnie Hipp and Kathleen Elliott and son-in-law Edward P. Jackson (2013).

Evelyn enjoyed visiting, lunching and shopping with family and friends and cuddling and spoiling her pets, of which she had many over the years. Her beloved dog Molly and kitty Smoky were at her side when she died. They will miss her terribly, as will her family and friends. Thanks to help from Partners In Home Care Hospice and the aid of family and friends, Evelyn was able to remain in her own home and pass peacefully in her own bed, which was very important to her. Special thanks to son-in-law Curt, granddaughter Hilary and Mary Ann Roe for the many hours they spent with her and to Koli Zahn for so many rides to appointments.

Cremation has taken place at Sunset Memorial with internment at the Mausoleum. Per her wishes, there will be no services. Memorials may be sent in her name to "Paws Up Safe Home For Pets" or to the "Ed Jackson Memorial Fund For Pets" c/o Elinore Williamson, P.O. Box 522, Seeley Lake, MT 59868.
Read Evelyn Benedetti's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Evelyn McDonald Scalise Benedetti, please visit our flower store.

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