Evelyn May (Nash) Teleha, age 84, of Madison, passed away Thursday, April 3, 2014 at TriPoint Medical Center in the presence of family. Born June 30, 1929 in Painesville, Ohio, she was the daughter of Celia O. (Bidlake) & Glen Nash.

Evelyn’s love of children called her to teach in the Willoughby-Eastlake Schools from 1951-1954 and in the Madison Schools from 1971-1987. She previously lived in Ohio, Maryland, Washington State, New York State, Florida, California, England and Scotland.

Evelyn loved her family, her friends, her church, her community, and nature. She had a never-ending quest for learning.

Evelyn consistently and constantly shared her love of books, dogwood trees, wooly bears and humming birds, (among others) with those she taught in school and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She made it her responsibility to feed the birds, welcome the hummers each spring, pull the weeds, water the plants and flowers, and above all recycle. She did daily crossword puzzles to keep the learning cycle in motion.

Evelyn was a lifelong member of Central Congregational Church in Madison, where she was passionately active. She served as Deacon, Superintendent of Christian Education, and a Sunday School teacher, as well as serving in the Handbell Choir, Chancel Choir, Women’s Fellowship, and the Mary-Martha Group. She gave of herself often to those in need through frequent visitations to nursing homes and volunteering weekly at the Madison Food Bank, as well as having donated nearly 18 gallons of her blood to the American Red Cross.

She gifted her family, friends and church, with her cooking and baking skills throughout the years. She was well known for her wonderful apple pies and homemade jams.

She is survived by her daughters, Terri Teleha of Mentor; Barbara (Brian) Sabo of Madison; sons, Charles M. (Deborah) Teleha of Boardman, R. Joseph Teleha of Mentor; John C. (Sheri) Teleha of Highpoint, NC; grandchildren, Tiffany, Michelle, Aaron, Stephanie, Matthew, Allegra, Sumner, Caroline, Rebecca, and Shae; many great-grandchildren; and sister, Frances A. (Larry) Jenkins of Haines City, FL. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Joan N. Whipple.

Friends will be received 6-8 PM, Thursday, April 10, 2014 at THE BEHM FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 26 River Street, Madison, OH 44057. A funeral service will be the next day, Friday, April 11, 2014, at 11 AM at Central Congregational Church, 71 Park Street, Madison, OH 44057. Final resting place will be in Fairview Cemetery in Madison.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Evelyn’s name to the Memorial Fund, c/o Central Congregational Church, 71 Park Street, Madison, OH 44057 or a charity of your choice.