Eva Visani

Eva Visani passed away on July 18, 2026 in the Emergency Room at Corewell Health Hospital in St. Joseph, Michigan, surrounded by her family, after a short battle with lymphoma. She was 96.

Eva was born on October 26, 1929 to Domingo and Leonor Suárez in Treinta y Tres, Uruguay. The second of six siblings, Eva was raised on a working crop and dairy farm. For her secondary education, she left her family to attend a boarding high school at the Instituto Adventista del Uruguay. She was a trailblazer there, being one of the two first female alumni of the school. She obtained a degree in Elementary Education from the Universidad Adventista del Plata in Argentina, and it was there that she met the love of her life—an Argentinian named Hugo Nicolás Visani. During several years of their courtship, they were limited to corresponding between Uruguay and Argentina due to the travel restrictions which had been imposed by Juan Perón. Eventually, Hugo and Eva were able to marry on February 4, 1954 in Bahía Blanca, Argentina—although Eva had to travel a long and difficult journey alone to her wedding because the travel restrictions were still in place.

Following their marriage, with Eva working as an elementary school teacher and Pastor Hugo Visani serving in many positions for the Seventh-day Adventist Church, they traveled all over the world. They lived in Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina, the United States (California, New York, and Michigan), Italy, and Costa Rica, and they served God in those and many other countries. During these years they were blessed with three sons—Hernan in 1958, Donaldo in 1960, and Edward in 1970. One of the many interesting adventures they had while traveling the world was operating Adventist youth and family camps in the mountains of Italy for many summers—which the family all pitched in to do together.

On February 5, 1979 (the day after Hugo and Eva’s 25th wedding anniversary), Eva’s life changed dramatically when Hugo and her son Edward were killed by a drunk driver in a tragic accident that occurred near Montemorelos, Mexico. Eva and Doni were critically injured in the accident also. Eva demonstrated extraordinary physical and emotional strength, and courage, in her recovery from this accident—after which she and Doni moved to Berrien Springs, Michigan to live near her son Hernan and so that Eva could become a student once again.

Eva graduated from Andrews University in 1982, earning a BA with a major in Spanish and a minor in Library Science. Beginning in 1983, Eva worked as a loyal and enthusiastic member of the staff at Andrews University’s James White Library until her retirement in 1998 at the age of 68.

But Eva, as energetic as she was, did not let her retirement from full-time work slow her down at all. During the last 28 years, she was very active in various Bible study and prayer groups, enjoyed attending events and activities at Andrews University, and was a dedicated member of Pioneer Memorial Church. She loved gardening and was a member of the Berrien Springs Garden Club and Fernwood Botanical Garden. She loved cooking and generously shared the fruits of her labors with her neighbors. Until two months before her death when she was diagnosed with lymphoma, she volunteered two to three days a week at Neighbor to Neighbor in Berrien Springs—where her co-workers were like family to her.

Eva’s greatest joys during the last years of her life were her abundance of close friendships and her precious family. She loved being able to travel to Europe, South America and within the U.S. to visit them and to share significant events in their lives. She was fortunate to enjoy great physical health (walking at least a mile most every day) until her lymphoma diagnosis in early May, and she maintained mental clarity right up until a few moments before her passing.

Eva is survived by her son Hernan (Solon, Ohio), her son Doni and daughter-in-law Sheri (Denver, Colorado), and the four lights of her life—her grandchildren Adrienne, Gabriella, Olivia and Leo. Eva is also survived by her brother Roberto Suárez (Days Creek, Oregon) and her sister Ana Maria Ernst (Uruguay). Eva was preceded in death by her parents, husband Hugo, son Edward, and siblings Manuel Suárez, Jose Suárez, and Ana Maria Arnold.

Words really cannot describe Eva’s kind, loving spirit or the profoundly positive impact she had on all those she encountered during her long and impactful life. She has multitudes of friends and family—all over the world—who loved her and will miss her and her radiant smile dearly.

Eva has fought the good fight, she has finished the race, and she has kept the faith. She has fallen asleep in Christ, and is awaiting His return.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Allred Funeral Home, and memories of Eva may be shared with her family at www.AllredFuneralHome.com. A service celebrating Eva’s life will be held in September 2026 in Berrien Springs, Michigan. More details will be announced when they are known. The service will be live streamed so friends and family who are far away can join.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions honoring Eva’s life may be made to Casuccia Visani (an Adventist youth and family campground in Italy founded in honor of Hugo Visani-- https://casucciavisani.it/donazioni/), Doctors Without Borders (through which Eva’s dear nephew Dr. Leo Vigna served for many years), or Pioneer Memorial Church.