Obituary of Evelyn Niles Tierno

Evelyn Niles Tierno passed away in Melbourne Florida on January 24, 2024, the victim of Alzheimer’s Disease.

She was born in Utica, NY, the daughter of Chauncey and Evelyn (Peggy) Niles on March 17, 1946. She lived in Utica until 2017, when she and her husband Joe moved to Melbourne Beach, Florida.

She was a graduate of Utica Free Academy and attended Chandler Business College, Boston in 1965.

She worked briefly, after her marriage to Joe in 1966, for AT&T, but left the business world to raise her two Children, Matthew and Amy, who became the light of life.

She was an avid skier and often told of her evening trips, skiing through the cemetery on Oneida Street, to Utica’s Parkway ski hill, where she honed her skills. She taught Matt and Amy well.

She was a Dog lover and one of her most cherished times on earth was when she worked for Canine Working Companions in Waterville.

There, she trained dogs for disabled people and for the deaf.

Her pride and joy was a puppy she raised for the program, Dexter, who later went on to be a working companion for more than 10 years.

Evelyn always rejoiced in Dexter’s love each and every time they met after his placement.

Another great love was for the New Hartford Presbyterian Church, which she and Joe joined in 1975. They remained members until they moved to Florida in 2017.

She served both as a deacon and elder during her time there and taught Sunday school to middle school kids, often to her dismay.

Evelyn also rejoiced in her life at Beach Woods in Melbourne Beach, Fl., where she played Pickle Ball, Bingo, did water aerobics; walked along the beach and walked her beloved Enzio and JP, the labs she treasured.

Her many Beach Woods friendships always brought a smile to her face. She was especially grateful to be able live out

her years near her sister Jean, whom she loved. Coming together in Beach Woods was something they often talked about, after spending years living lives that took them into far different orbits.

She was a great mother, wife and Nana. She worried, as she did about almost everything, about the fate of her grandchildren, Olivia, Ryan and Sean, whom she loved without reservation.

She is survived by her husband Joe, (Melbourne Beach, Fl) her two children Matthew (Albany, NY) and Amy (Ashburn, Va), three grandchildren: Olivia Tierno (Prospect NY); Ryan and Sean Bojdak (Ashburn, Va) her sister and brother in law, Bob and Jean Johnson (Melbourne Beach Fl), many nieces and nephews.

And, of course, numerous friends, especially Maria and Richard Dardano; Ron and Sheila Cuccaro, her oldest friends, whom she loved dearly.

There will be no service or calling hours, as per her wishes. Her ashes will be placed in the Westmoreland Cemetery, along side her parents and brother George, at a date to be determined by the family.

A special thanks to VITAS Health Care in Rockledge for their compassion and professionalism during Evelyn’s last days.

Please consider a donation in her memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, VITAS Health Care or the New Hartford Presbyterian Church, New Hartford, NY.