Obituary of Rosemarie Juriga

Rosemarie Juriga, 66, passed away unexpectedly August 14, 2016 due to injuries sustained from a fall. Rose was born to the late Emil & Wanda Juriga. Rose dedicated her life to serving the disabled and disadvantaged of Summit County. She graduated from the University of Akron, and went on to receive her Masters of Science in Social Administration from Case Western Reserve University. Since 1990, she served as the Executive Director for the Tri-County Independent Living Center, serving people with disabilities in Summit, Stark, and Portage Counties. Prior to that, she was the director of the 7001 Training and Employment Center, serving disadvantaged youth. She has also worked at the Akron Community Service Center and Urban League, and Goodwill Industries of Akron. Her achievements and awards include the Michael Powell Humanitarian award, the Catholic Commission Bishop Cosgrove Justice Award, the Peter Bommarito Award, the Community Health Center Leaf of Life Award, and she received Congressional Recognition from the United Way of Summit County. Rose was a powerful force for low income persons; she worked tirelessly rights and needs of the powerless. Her faith, integrity and dedication for the dignity of all persons changed laws, policies and attitudes. Rose's professional ethics reflected her personal life of service, as a constant care-giver to her nephew Carl Phillips. Together they went hiking, traveled to many casinos & sporting events and participated in the Special Olympics. Rose was a longtime member of Visitation of Mary Church, where she served as a lector and Eucharistic Minister. In addition to her parents, Rose was preceded in death by her brother Michael Juriga. She is survived by her sister Theresa (Maynard) Phillips; nephews Charles Weatherford, James (Kellie) Weatherford, special nephew Carl Phillips; and great-niece and nephew Siobhan & Declan Weatherford. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the All Star Training Club of United Disability Services, 701 S. Main St, Akron 44311 www.allstartrainingclub.org or Tri-County Independent Living Center, 680 E. Market Street, Suite #205 Akron, OH 44304 http://www.tcilc.org/ The family will receive friends from 5-8 PM Friday, August 19 at the Anthony Funeral Home, Kucko-Anthony-Kertesz Chapel, 1990 S. Main St. in Akron. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 AM on Saturday at the Visitation of Mary Catholic Church, 87 Broad St. Akron, 44305. Interment will immediately follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. (Anthony, Akron, 330-724-1281, anthonyfh.com)