Jean Ann (Criss) Panaia

Jean Ann Panaia, 83 of Akron, passed into eternal life, surrounded by her family and friends on November 20, 2021. She lived in Akron her entire life until Jean resided with her daughter, Diana and Tom in Tallmadge the last 18 months with a loving and family filled atmosphere.

She attended St. Vincent St Mary School and danced her way to graduation in 1956. She met her soul mate, Vincent Panaia in 1957, where they made their home in Akron with their three children.  Jean worked at Milo’s Beauty Supply and then went on to become a manager of Sally Beauty until she retired with 30 years of service.

Jean was devoted Catholic, never missed mass, prayed the rosary daily and was a member of Annunciation Church (Visitation of Mary).

Family was very important to her and the love she had for her children and grandchildren.  Jean was a loving and caring person. In her spare time, she loved to garden and take Sunday drives with her husband, either on Vince’s Harley or an old time car.

Jean loved her husband’s Italian Heritage. She made Italian sauce every Sunday for the family gatherings.  Family was important to her and the love she had for her children and grandchildren spilled over to the animals she cared for in the neighborhood.

Mom we picture you tap dancing to heaven with your sister, Dorthea Dixon Keller.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Vincent Panaia; parents, Alice and Loring Criss; brothers, Robert and Leonard Criss; sister, Dorthea Dixon Keller; grandson, Tommy Morneweck.

Jean is survived by her brother, Ronald Criss; children, Mike (Ann) Panaia, Diana (Tom) Morneweck, Laura (Jamie) Chillinski; grandchildren, Jana Fuller, Julianne Lambeth, Robert Morneweck, Dan Panaia, and Amanda Smith; great grandchildren, Brooklyn Goodwin, Ken Neuwirth, Emily Lambeth, Greyson Neuwirth, Kennson Lambeth, Tommy Smith, Anthony Panaia, Roman Smith, Hutch Morneweck

Visitation will be TODAY 4:00 until 7:00 pm Tuesday, November 23, 2021 at the Donovan Funeral Home 17 Southwest Ave. (On the Historic Tallmadge Circle).

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 am Wednesday, November 24, 2021 at Our Lady of Victory, 83 North Ave, Tallmadge with Rev. Michael Matusz officiating. The Funeral Mass will be livestreamed on Our Lady of Victory’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ourladyofvictorychurchtallmadge/.  You are kindly asked to wear a mask when in close proximity to others in Church until further notice.  Thank you for your cooperation.

Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery.

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