Evelyn Seydel Poderick

October 26, 1926 - January 4, 2021

Our beloved mother, Evelyn Seydel Poderick, aged 94, passed away in Santa Rosa. She was the daughter of Francis and Gladys Seydel, who preceded her in death, as did her loving husband Nicholas Poderick.

Evelyn is survived by her four children, sons Richard Poderick and Michael Poderick, and daughters Sandra Leffew and Susan Freed. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

A native Californian, Evelyn and her husband Nick moved their young family from Los Angeles to Paradise, California to start an exciting new life in the mid-1950s. She enjoyed the relaxed lifestyle of raising her family in the small, mountainous community. After Nick's passing, she started a new career at the Butte County Welfare Department where she worked during the 1970s and 1980s as a social worker. She was proud of this accomplishment and did an excellent job supporting herself and daughter. When her family had grown, she relocated to Santa Rosa in the 1980s, where her sisters Charlotte and Connie lived, as well as many extended family members.

Our mom enjoyed lunching with friends, scrapbooking, her 'sisters-get-away trips', and attending Bible studies and church. She appreciated a good meal and there were many times that we marveled at how such a small woman could put away so much food. She had fun treating her grandkids to pancake breakfasts or sundaes at McDonald's and looked forward to sister lunches of tortilla soup at Chili's. She was well liked in her retirement community and surprised us all when she joined the beanbag baseball team. She was a kind and gentle person who cherished her close relationships with her sisters and took pride in her family and many grandchildren. She was especially happy at gatherings when we were all together.

We'll miss her greatly but are thankful she is finally at peace as she walks with the Lord.

Press Democrat, January 10, 2021