Evelyn G. DiCerbo

Schenectady, NY

On Tuesday, May 12, 2026, Evelyn G. DiCerbo, 98, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family and welcomed into her heavenly home.

Evelyn was born in Schenectady on August 18, 1927, the daughter of the late Vincenzo (Jim) Parravani and Jenny (Ferro) Parravani. She attended Schenectady City Schools, graduated from Nott Terrace High School in 1946, then continued to take post-graduate classes to add to her resume. Evelyn married her high school sweetheart, Edward F. Gejay, in February of 1949, and they shared a beautiful marriage of 35 years together after building their home and life with their children in Rotterdam, NY.

Evelyn began work as a secretary at the General Electric Company in Schenectady, in August of 1946. She rose through the secretarial ranks, and in 1974 she was asked to work at a manager’s meeting in Clearwater, Florida. Upon returning to Schenectady, Evelyn proudly received a Managerial Award. She retired from General Electric in February of 1986. While working at General Electric, Evelyn spent time selling “Avon” products as well as “Sarah Coventry” jewelry. She was an active member of The Sons of Italy and The Whitney Club, and enjoyed trips to the race track at Saratoga.

After Ed’s passing in 1984, Evelyn and her many friends became avid walkers. They soon began talking about traveling together, with Evelyn at the helm of researching and arranging trips for herself and her widowed friends. From 1984 to 1994 she organized trips to California, Canada, Florida, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, Montreal, Michigan, New Jersey, New Orleans, Puerto Rico, and Toronto. She also planned a train trip across the country, several cruises and a trip to Italy.

In January of 1995, Evelyn became reacquainted with Gabriel DiCerbo, a high school friend whom she hadn’t seen in fifty years. They married in September of that year, and their blended family thrived under the love she and Gabe had for each other. Evelyn enjoyed 25 years of pure happiness married to her “soulmate,” before his passing in 2021. In Evelyn’s words, “I have lived a full and blessed life.”

Evelyn was graced with the natural gift of knitting and crocheting, creating many extraordinary blankets, sweaters, shawls, hats, scarves, and handbags for her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, other family members, and friends. She also enjoyed sewing, quilt-making, and craft-making, all of which she continued through her 98th year. Her expertise as a gourmet cook brought the most incredible tasting meals and baked goods to the table, where she hosted her family and friends, much to their delight. Evelyn’s generous heart touched the lives of so many. Most recently, in her two years of residing at Coburg Village, Evelyn quickly made new friendships with community residents, especially looking forward to their nightly gatherings at “The Circle,” and attending the wonderful village-sponsored events with them.

Evelyn is survived by her children, Edward (Jo-Ann) Gejay and Debra (Mark) Collyer; grandsons, Douglas (Megan) Gejay, Daniel (Brianna) Gejay, Mark Collyer (Magen Kuzma), and Mike (Kaitlyn) Collyer; step-daughters, Diane (Robert) Flanagan and Cathy (Tim) Hartnett; step-grandsons, Bobby (Marla) Flanagan, Matt Flanagan, Sean (Ashley) Hartnett and Timothy Hartnett. “Great Grandma” was adored by her great-grandchildren, Owen and Henley Gejay, Emerson and Madison Gejay, Jack Collyer and Delaney Collyer; step-great-grandchildren, Robert James, Parker, and Anastasia Flanagan. Also survived is her much loved sister, Mary Ann Collins and her brother, James Parravani; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Evelyn was predeceased by her parents, her husbands, her sisters, Laura Juron, Ann DiCresce, and Elena Moffit, her niece, Patricia Collins, and her brothers-in-law, Jack Collins and Frank DiCresce.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, June 19th, at 11:30 AM, at St. Anthony’s Church, 331 Seward Place, Schenectady, NY. Following the Mass, Interment beside her late husband, Edward, will be held at Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, on Route 7 in Niskayuna, NY.