Eva Macaluso

Our wife, mom, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Eva Macaluso, nee Wright, passed away peacefully on July 2, 2024, with her husband at her side, from complications following a stroke.

Eva, daughter of Clarence and Evelyn Wright, was born April 13, 1938, in Oil City, Pennsylvania. She spent her early years working and playing on the family fruit farm in Ripley, New York with her six siblings. Eva earned her Bachelor of Education at Fredonia State Univ., in New York; it was there she met her husband, Salvatore. They spent the next 65 years creating a beautiful life for themselves and their family.  Eva was a beloved kindergarten teacher for nearly 30 years, and was a wonderfully supportive military wife, and inspirational mother. She was a cheerleader for all, encouraging them to be kind and do their very best.

“Your day is what you make it” was a familiar saying that Eva shared with her family. Eva spread happiness. She was a beautiful person, and will be missed terribly by her family, neighbors, and friends.

Eva is survived by her husband of 65 years, Salvatore; her children Mickey (Daniel) Dobbins, Sam (fiance Cheryl Minnick), Jim, and Steve (Mary); her grandchildren Allison (Mike) Schaal, Anthony (Katie), Dominic, and Kate; and great-grandchildren Owen and Emily Schaal. Eva loved Lorna (Manny) Casiano like a daughter, and the family is thankful for the love and care Lorna provided following mom’s surgery and at her passing. Eva’s siblings have passed, but she remains close to her sister Betty (Jerry) Lawson; her brother-in-law Joseph Macaluso; sister-in-law Lois Macaluso; nieces; nephews; and her many friends, especially Cindy and Dave Willson, Debbie and Denny Alford, and Larry Magnuson.

Because Eva espoused kindness and happiness, her family asks that in lieu of flowers, people remember her by taking time to make someone’s day better. Smile at a stranger. Take a moment to visit with the person next to you. And most of all, be happy! Music and the performing arts were important to Eva, and they provided her great joy. Gifts in her memory may be made to The Hettenhausen Center for the Arts, McKendree University, 701 College Road, Lebanon, Illinois, 62254.  Gifts may also be presented to the funeral home staff or made online at the following link:  https://giving.mckendree.edu/hett.

A more complete biography of Mrs. Macaluso, and a video tribute is available at www.wfh-ofallon.com.

Visitation 4 – 8 p.m., Monday, July 8, 2024 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, 625 St. Nicholas Dr., O’Fallon, Ill., and one hour prior to Mass on Tuesday.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, July 9, 2024 at the church with Rev. Nick Junker presiding. A luncheon will be served immediately following the mass in the church hall. Following the meal, procession will depart for Graveside Services to be held at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Lebanon, Ill.

Wolfersberger Funeral Home, O’Fallon