Evelyn Koston Parent – Charleroi
Evelyn Koston Parent, 88, of Charleroi, died in her home on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. Her husband and five children were at her side. She was born Sept. 4, 1931, in Youngstown, Ohio, the eighth and last child of Mary Senedak and Frank Koston of Hadley. Evelyn was the last surviving member of her immediate family. She was raised in a farmhouse, educated in a single-room schoolhouse, then later attended Allegheny College in Meadville. Due to her vibrant personality, Evelyn was given the nickname “Sparkie,” and soon met her husband F. N. “Pete” Parent Jr., M.D., who survives her. After graduation, they married in August 1954 and moved to Philadelphia, while Pete attended medical school. Ultimately settling in Charleroi, they raised five children who survive her: F. Noel Parent III, M.D. (wife Kathleen) of Virginia Beach, Va., Mark G. Parent Sr., M.D., (wife Brooke) of Boise, Idaho, Leslie J. Parent, M.D., (husband George Olt, M.D.) of Hershey, Thomas E. Parent, M.D., (wife Mary) of Naples Fla., and Aimee P. Becker, CPA (husband Gary) of Commerce Township, Mich. Evelyn nurtured her children to develop an appreciation for education, manners, books, music, the arts and nature. Together with Pete and her children, she traveled often as was possible to visit sights locally, within the United States and around the world. Their children blessed her with 16 grandchildren whom she cherished: F.N. Parent IV (wife Elizabeth), Matthew Parent (wife Lillian), Hallie Parent, Mark Parent Jr. (wife Cathryn), Timothy Parent, Jack Parent, Elle Parent, Caroline Olt, Olivia Olt, Dylan Parent, Katerina Parent, Juliet Parent, Collin Becker, Bryce Becker, Evan Becker, and Gannon Becker. Evelyn had great respect for the traditions of the Roman Catholic Church. She and her children were members of the St. Jerome Roman Catholic Church for many years. When the children moved away, Evelyn enjoyed time with her friends in the Valley Garden Club and the Greensburg Garden Center. She donated generously to the Humane Society of Westmoreland County, the Arbor Society, the Audubon Society, and UNICEF. If a single word could describe Evelyn’s fundamental personality trait, it would be gratitude. Gratitude for her parents and siblings, her husband, children, grandchildren and extended family, friends, her good health, and for humanity. Even during her final illness she expressed nothing other than an appreciation for the life she had lived. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at Mary, Mother of the Church at 9:30 a.m. Saturday Nov. 23, located at 624 Washington Ave. in Charleroi. Burial arrangements are private. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in her memory to the American Heart Association or one of Evelyn’s favorite charities. Condolences to the family may be expressed via the Frye Funeral Home website at https://fryefuneralhome.com/obits.
