Evelyn Janice Gaffney died in her home May 13, 2025. She was born July 12, 1945 in Wilkes - Barre Peninsula to Laura Pytel Maksi and Stephen Maksi. She became a Catholic by her own dedication at age five. Always explaining how the Cathedrals just were the most majestic thing she ever saw and how their beauty just drew her in. She lived her life as an inspiration to many as an angle or perfect saint. Giving, kind, a woman of service, with a heart of shining gold. Later her family moved to beautiful Orlando Florida where she graduated from Boone high school. Then she continued her studies in Elementary Education at the University of Florida. There she met Jerome Joseph Gaffney where they married in the local town of Gainesville Florida. She is survived by her husband Jerome, her daughters Janet and Lisa, her sister Carol and her brother Gregory. She was preceded in death by her son Stephen who died at birth on January 13,1972. And by her parents. As a profession she taught special needs children at Sidney Lanier, Rawlings and Idylwild. Later to be at home with her growing children as any good mom would want to do, she substituted part time in all the schools in Alachua County. In her retired years she work as a sitter at North Florida Regional Hospital and a loving volunteer at Hospice . Also she had a part time tutoring business for small children. Her husband Jerome took care of her graciously in her declining years. She is under the care of Forest Meadows Funeral Home in Gainesville, Florida. Her services will be on Thursday May 22 at 11 am at Holy Faith Catholic Church in Gainesville.