BY TAMMY MCKILLIP
Correspondent
Above, Ruth Eovino prepares to knock down some pins at Strathmore Lanes, Aberdeen. Left, Ruth Eovino (center) stands with daughter-in-law Kathleen Eovino (l) and granddaughter Kate last week. MATAWAN – Ruth Eovino said the highest score she ever bowled was 251, but that was 25 years ago. Now, the soon-to-be 90-year-old is happy scoring 200 on any of the three leagues she bowls with weekly at Strathmore Lanes Bowling Center, Aberdeen.
Born in Matawan in 1917, Eovino, who raised three sons, now 58, 60 and 62 years old, said the secret to her longevity is keeping busy with friends and fellow league-mates at the bowling alley three times a week.
“She just doesn’t stop,” said her daughter-in-law, Kathleen Eovino. “I think she’s a great role model. She volunteers at the local food bank and is an active member of the Matawan United Methodist Church, where she’s been a member for 80 years. She’s also very active in senior citizens groups. She’s in excellent health, and she goes out shopping every day. She doesn’t have the newspaper delivered because that way she has to get up, get dressed and go out to the store each morning. She takes care of her own home and is always outside weeding her beautiful garden. She’s very independent.”
PHOTOS BYTAMMY BY MCKILLIP Eovino, a media specialist at Matawan Regional High School, said her mother-in-law, who has always been very healthy and does not smoke or drink, was married for 58 years to Michael Eovino, a maintenance supervisor who was also very active and enjoyed bowling. When her father-in-law died in 2000, Kathleen Eovino said it was very hard on Ruth.
“But her family is very supportive,” she said. “She keeps busy to make up the time.”
Kathleen Eovino, who is married to Ruth’s son, Peter Eovino, said that her mother-in-law helped take care of their daughter, Kate, when she was growing up.
“She always said that she got her bowling arm from carrying Kate around,” she said. “She was a true grandmother. Kate never knew that soup came in cans because her Nan always made homemade soup. She made cookies for her. She took her for walks. Kate knew everybody in Matawan – at the post office, at the store. It made my life easier as a working mother because I always knew she was in great care.”
Kathleen Eovino said her family is planning a 90th birthday celebration for her mother-in-law on Feb. 28 at Buttonwood Manor, Route 34.
“When she and my father-in-law got married, it was during World War II, and they didn’t have time for a honeymoon or a fancy reception,” she said. “They just had dinner at the Buttonwood Manor. That was over 60 years ago. When they had their 50th wedding anniversary, it was at the Buttonwood, so we feel it’s appropriate to have her birthday celebration there now.”
Leo Mozolic, 82, said that Ruth Eovino is an inspiration and that she shows up at the bowling alley every week “like clockwork.” He said the league is open to people of any age and that anyone interested in bowling should come to the bowling alley around 9 a.m. on Fridays and plan to stay until around noon.
“It’s a camaraderie kind of thing,” he said. “We all just show up because we love to bowl. Because of our ages, though, we’re always looking for new bowlers, if you know what I mean.”
Strathmore Lanes Bowling Center is located on Route 34, Aberdeen. Call (732) 566-7500 for more information on bowling leagues and schedules.