Obituary of Elsie M. Stavarz

'I don't mind leaving; I know he's waiting for me' NORTON - Elsie Mary Stavarz, 91, (nee Radjes) born May 14, 1922, passed away on April 27, 2014, Divine Mercy Sunday, with her family at her side. After graduating from Akron South High School in 1940, she married her best friend and life-long sweetheart Alex L. Stavarz in 1941. Throughout their life together, she and Alex worked side-by-side in Norton, Ohio farming, raising and dressing chickens, and operating an egg and cheese store later to become Stavarz Lumber. Finally, they operated their rental construction and management business. Elsie was a long-time member of Holy Trinity Church (1941-2007), a charter member and officer of St. Elizabeth's Altar Society, and was currently a member of St. Augustine Parish. She also belonged to Church Women United. In recent years, she much enjoyed her friendships at the Barberton YMCA Senior Center and Bible Study Group, as well as many fond experiences with her "McDonald's buddies". Elsie was preceded in death by parents Nicholas Radjes and Magdalena Margaret Gorniewski, husband Alex, son Alex, brother Walter, sister Jennie, and son-in-law Herb. She is survived by daughters Jacqueline (David) Smee, Margaret (Herb) Artino, son David (Jean) and daughter-in-law Karen; grandsons Nick (Leanne), Jerry (Kim), Aaron (Amy) Smee, Adam (Pauli) Smee, David, Dylan, Alex, Brandon (Nicole) Artino, Jesse (Beth) Artino; great-grandchildren Madeleine, Daniel, Seth, Shane, Simon, Milo, Ezra, Jacob and Sebastian; nieces Susan Lebrun and Margaret (Peggy) Park, and Timothy Shuber, her "adopted" son. She also leaves fond friends of many years Eleanor Voyk and Goldie Kamenar whose friendships she valued until the end. Elsie's last years of struggle within her earthly body were faced with grace, hope and dignity. She continually displayed loving concern and boundless appreciation for her family, friends and all those privileged to participate in her care. Her loving ways will be missed by all who met her. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m., at the Anthony Funeral Home KUCKO-ANTHONY-KERTESZ CHAPEL, 1990 S. Main St. in Akron. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, at 10 a.m., at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Barberton. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.