Eva Marcella Meleskie

Eva Marcella Hall- Sylvester, 96, of Toledo, Washington, daughter of William W Hall and Florence M (Horton) Hall, was born April 25, 1924, at home, along the middle Coon River near Stuart, Iowa. She passed away December 27, 2020, at her small ranch in Toledo, Washington, of natural causes.
Eva graduated from Stuart High School, where she enjoyed dancing, roller skating, ice skating, basketball, horseback riding, and the ‘Big Band’ sound.
She met Milo Sylvester-sen at a dance in Stuart, and they were married December 3, 1943, in Glendale, Arizona. Both had jobs in industries that supported the war effort in Arizona and California. They eventually settled on a farm south of Guthrie Center, Iowa, in 1944.
As a young farmer’s wife and new mother, she developed skills in baking, canning, sewing, gardening, raising chickens, and when needed, helping with field work. They sold the farming operation in 1956, because of Milo’s ill health, and moved back to Oakland, California, where Milo died in 1965.
Eva worked for 30 years in various laundries as a shirt press operator. At times, she was the sole provider for her family. She remarried in San Jose, California, to Lawrence Meleskie, where they lived for 20 years, before retiring to Toledo in 1988.
Eva was a contributing member of that group of Americans known as ‘The Greatest Generation,’ most of whom lived through unimaginable hardships. She was no stranger to hard work; learning to be industrious, tenacious, thrifty, and responsible, and believing in accountability that guided her throughout her life. She was very loving, caring, and made friends easily. She would sit for hours comforting sick friends and family members at their hospital bedside, and was sometimes the only one to visit. With her discipline and guidance, she successfully raised 6 children.
During her retirement, she liked to travel cross-country to visit family and old friends. Other joys included growing vegetables in her garden every year. She also helped in the care of her grandchildren.
The last few months of her life she was very appreciative of the many caregivers and people she had become friends for their support. Eva got great joy from their visits and from the many who held her hands.
Eva is survived by six children: Bill Sylvester of Gustine, CA, Eva Sylvestersen of Oakdale, CA, David Sylvestersen of Paradox, CO, Colette Schultz of Dublin, CA, Scott Sylvester of Toledo, WA, Julie Salsman of Toledo, WA.
She is survived by 10 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.
Services will be held at Fir Lawn Funeral Chapel Toledo, WA.