Evelyn L. Correira, 72, Had Passion for Cooking

Evelyn L. (BenDavid) Correira of Oak Bluffs died Thursday, March 31, surrounded by family members at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.

She was 72 years old. Mrs. Correira was the widow of Francis (Frankie) Correira, former Oak Bluffs Highway superintendent, and the daughter of Augustus and Deolinda (Lena) Benefit BenDavid.

She was born in Oak Bluffs on June 24, 1932 and was lovingly raised by Elvira Amaral BenDavid, who married Augustus after the death of Deolinda when Evelyn was one-year old.

She was graduated from the old Oak Bluffs high school, where she enjoyed playing on the school's basketball team. Evelyn was an avid knitter and talented at craft making, wowing everyone with her hand-painted items and baby sweater sets. Cooking was her passion, she loved feeding anyone who walked through her door.

A homemaker and a loving wife and mother, Evelyn was very much involved with her family and their children in all aspects of their lives. She spent her professional career in the hospitality business as the dining room manager for the Boston House, and later the owner and operator of Ev's Coffee Shop (now Linda Jean's).

She is survived by her son Michael F. Correira and his wife, Jean of Oak Bluffs; two daughters, Linda J. Coito and her husband, Henry of Vineyard Haven and Stefanie Pothier and her husband, Steven of Sandwich; seven grandchildren, Hilary Krueger-Coito, Steven F. Coito, Timothy M. Correira, Jason R. Pothier, Ryan D. Correira, Jennifer L. Coito and Christopher F. Pothier; two brothers, Arthur BenDavid and Donald BenDavid; one sister, Florence BenDavid; her aunt, Helen White of Edgartown and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Her funeral mass was celebrated Tuesday morning in Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, Massasoit Avenue, Oak Bluffs. Burial followed at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Vineyard Avenue, Oak Bluffs. Donations may be made in her memory to the American Heart Association, Cape and Islands Division, 2 White's Path, Yarmouth, MA 02675. Arrangements are under the care of Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road, Oak Bluffs.