Evelyn Caroline (Wood) DeTillo

Evelyn Caroline DeTillo (Wood), age 97, formerly of North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania peacefully departed this life Monday, September 18, 2017 under the care of Hospice at Latrobe Hospital. Evelyn was born September 25, 1919 in Norristown, Pennsylvania to the late Harriet Elizabeth (Pickell) and Percy Royal Simmonds Wood. On Evelyn's matriarchal line, she is a direct descendant from the 13 Original Krefeld Families that founded Germantown, Pennsylvania in 1683. Her ancestors provided some of the first public schools in Pennsylvania, and in 1688  established the first anti-slavery movement in America.

Evelyn's father Percy R. Simmonds Wood was adopted by the Wood Family. His birth parents were John and Eliza Ann (West) Simmonds from Lydney, Gloucestershire, England.  Percy R. Simmonds Wood moved his family west, to the Pittsburgh area, in the early 1920s. There he became a successful superintendent with Jones & Laughlin Steel.

Evelyn graduated from Taylor Allderdice High School in 1937. She was a member of the swim team, and participated in the marching band. She was an avid lifeguard, loved bowling, knitting, sewing, and refinishing furniture.  Later she became a member of the Eastern Star, and volunteered for the North Huntingdon Fire Department. She was a devoted homemaker her entire life.  Her feisty and fearless personality contributed to the strong person that we all knew and loved so well.

Evelyn was united in holy matrimony to Albert Anthony DeTillo on December 31, 1939 in Wellsburg, West Virginia. They were married for 42 years, and their union was blessed with 3 children.  Albert A. DeTillo preceded her in death on  July 22, 1981.  He was the son of Guiseppe and Bambina (Galuppo)  DiTillo of Montagano, Italy. Evelyn was also preceded in death by her devout older brother, Elwood P. Wood and wife Nora (Clem) of Sun City, Arizona.

Evelyn is survived by her three children, Albert E. DeTillo and wife Tamara (Bain) and former wife Elizabeth (Funk), Linda DeTillo, Esq., and Gary B. DeTillo and partner Lucinda LaCasse, wife Constance (Pound) and former first wife Debra (Neal). She is lovingly remembered by her 5 grandchildren: John Scott and Lesley (Mills), Glenn and Lynn (Stewart), Christopher and Jessica (Hooker), Desiree (Camp-DeTillo) and Charles Richey, Jennifer (DeTillo) and Todd LeRoy. She will also be forever cherished by her 9 great-grandchildren: Kyle, Alexandra, Salvatore, Santino, Michael, Corey, Nicholas, Eli, Alexis, and Jackson. She will be lovingly missed by her surviving younger brother, Edwin W. Wood and late wife Clara (Hays), and sons Edwin, Jr. and Warren Wood of Manassas Park, Virginia. Evelyn will also be loved in the hearts of her dear friends, Philadelphia relatives, and the Methodist Church.

Private devotionals are encouraged as there will be no Memorial Service. Her cremains will be interred at Jefferson Memorial Park Cemetery in Pleasant Hills, Pennsylvania. The family of Evelyn Wood DeTillo wishes to extend our sincere thanks and gratitude to the Medical and Hospice staff at Latrobe Hospital.

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