Eva (Hoyt) Say

Eva (Hoyt) Say, age 82, of Hebron, passed away peacefully at her family home on Monday, January 4, 2021. Eva was surrounded by her loving family when she crossed the threshold from this side of eternity into the arms of Jesus.

Born in Eliot, ME, on December 23, 1938, she was the youngest of 11 children to the late John & Helen (Dana) Hoyt. She grew up in Maine (in Eliot through Grade 5 until her family moved to Temple). As a young woman, she met Ronald Say, Airman 2nd Class, at the USO in Portsmouth, NH, in August of 1959. He quickly swept her off her feet; and the couple married on July 3, 1960, in Temple. They were first stationed in New Hampshire, where Tonya, the oldest of their four daughters, was born. The Air Force took them to Mississippi, where Tammy was born, and to Nebraska, where Tracy was born. After almost 11 years in the Air Force, Eva and Ron decided to plant civilian roots in Connecticut, where Trisha was born. They built their family home in Hebron, CT, in 1967.

After graduating from high school, Eva briefly attended college before training to become an IBM keypunch operator, which led to her employment with Kittery/Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. After meeting and marrying Ron, they began to build their family together. Eva’s greatest desire was to be a stay-at-home mom; so, as their children got older, she assumed various part-time positions that complemented her children’s school schedules. She worked as a school bus driver for 10 years and as a nurse’s aide at RHAM high school for several years afterwards.

Eva served her local church in a variety of capacities over the years. She earnestly walked her Christian faith throughout her life, trusting Jesus to be the Perfector of her faith. She had a burden for her loved ones and wanted each to be reconciled in all their relationships, knowing that Jesus gives peace to those who receive His forgiveness and extend it to others.

She enjoyed playing cards and board games, being a practical joker, camping, children, anywhere her family was, everything Maine (especially York Beach, Temple, Farmington, Wilton, and Eliot), playing in the snow, sports (basketball, softball, swimming, ping-pong), family picnics, and Christmas. She especially loved horses. She shared her love of homemaking with her daughters, which included sewing, baking, cooking, hospitality, and caring for others.

In addition to her beloved husband Ronald of over 60 years, Eva will be forever missed and loved by her daughter Tonya Snyder of Manchester, daughter Tammy Choleva & her husband John of Hebron, daughter Tracy Hyburg & her husband Robert of Marion, OH, and her daughter Trisha Say of Bolton; grandchildren and great-grandchildren by Tonya--Jacqueline & Dion, Sr. and their sons Dion Jr. and Elijah; Joshua; Caleb & Beatrice and their son Carson; Joanna & her husband Austin; and Daniel; grandchildren and great-grandchild by Tammy--Trevor & his wife Jessie and their daughter Hazel; Jeremy; Aaron; Gabriel & Michelle; John; and Danielle & Oliver; grandchildren by Tracy--Dana; Nathan & Katie; Lydia; Rachel; and Samuel; and grandchildren by Trisha--Hannah; and Emma & her husband Burnie; her sister, Marjorie Savage of Farmington, ME; and numerous extended family members and friends. She was predeceased by her siblings Hazel Barker, Louise Nicholas, Dana Hoyt, Walter Hoyt & Lila Kane, Baby John, William Hoyt, Myrtle Haney, and Jack Hoyt.

Walk-through calling hours utilizing social distancing and facial coverings will be held on Saturday, January 16th from 2-4 PM, followed by a funeral service at 4 PM (officiated by Pastor Eric Stillman of New Life Christian Fellowship) at Aurora McCarthy Funeral Home, 167 Old Hartford Road, Colchester, CT. Eva will be buried privately at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Eliot, ME, in the spring. In lieu of flowers, donations in Eva’s memory may be made to New Life Christian Fellowship at https://www.NewLife-CT.org/giving, the Cornerstone Christian School at https://www.TheCornerstoneChristianSchool.com/giving, or the American Diabetes Association. For online condolences, please visit www.auroramccarthyfuneralhome.com

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