Published in the August 11, 2017 edition
MELROSE — Eva (Rice) Haley, 95, a longtime resident of Melrose, passed away peacefully at Lahey Medical Center in Burlington on Saturday, August 5, 2017.
Eva was born in South Bristol, Maine on May 30, 1922, and was the daughter of the late Lester and Lillian (Pitcher) Rice. Eva was raised and educated in South Bristol, where she was one of nine students to graduate from the local one room schoolhouse. On July 11, 1944, she married Maine native George T. Haley.
Eva and George moved to Medford then Malden, before settling in Melrose with a family of six children. Eva, always hard working, was home during the day with her children, then worked the evening shift at Transitron in Melrose, and later in Wilmington at Compugraphic. Typical of her generation, she was self-reliant, never complained, took great care of her family, and never minded old fashioned hard work.
In her free time, Eva loved to clean. She cleaned her house, and later in life became a housekeeper at the Colonial Traveler in Malden where she worked into her 80’s. Everything was clean at Eva’s home, in the stove, behind the refrigerator, she never missed a spot. She was as independent as ever into her 90’s, living at home and staying on top of the cleaning.
A native of Maine, Eva had an endearing uniqueness and love for life. She loved collecting owls, making people laugh, and wearing big floppy hats and bright colors. Always very kind and genuine, Eva would help anyone in need and was well-liked by everyone she met. At home, she was an avid reader, loved crossword puzzles, word search, and going for walks around Melrose.
With an appreciation for the outdoors, Eva and George enjoyed many years of traveling via motor home throughout the Northeast. They visited coastal towns, and lake regions from upstate New York to rural Maine. Eva had a particular fondness for visiting Christmas Cove in Damariscotta, Maine, where they gathered for a family reunion. She will be missed, but always lovingly remembered.
Eva was the beloved wife of the late George T. Haley, with whom she shared 68 years of marriage. She was the devoted mother of George E. Haley and his wife Ginny of Londonderry, New Hampshire; Gregory E. Haley and his wife Eileen of Nashua, New Hampshire; Barry W. Haley and his late wife Gayle of Middleton; Barbara A. Wells and her husband Frank of Melrose; Michael Haley of Denver, Colorado; and Allan Haley of Montana. She was the dear sister of Bobby Rice and his wife Margaret of Portland, Maine, and several deceased siblings. She was the cherished grandmother of Sheryl Haley, Lisa Santasusso, Karen Belanger, Kenneth Haley, Matt Haley, Danny Haley, Katy Wells, Nicholas Wells, Michael Haley and Sara Layton. She was the loving great grandmother of Anthony, Lenny, Cassidy, Meghan, Joel and Lucas.
Relatives and friends gathered in honor and remembrance of Eva’s life for her Funeral Service at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Thursday, August 10. Interment in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody. Gifts in Eva’s memory may be made to the American Heart Association, 300 5th Ave., Ste 6, Waltham, MA. For online tribute, condolences or directions, visit RobinsonFuneralHome.com.
