1938
Graceanne
2014
Graceanne Fennell
December 12, 1938 — January 11, 2014
Youngstown - Graceanne Fennell, 75, died Saturday evening, January 11, 2014 at her residence.
Graceanne was born December 12, 1938 in Youngstown, a daughter of T.J. and Laverne Kashner Wilson.
A 1956 graduate of Hubbard High School, Graceanne continued her education at Trumbull Memorial School of Nursing, graduating in 1959 as a registered nurse. She began her career at Trumbull Memorial Hospital and Woodside Receiving Hospital. She later worked in private practice with Dr. James Might. Graceanne returned to Trumbull Memorial Hospital where she worked on the cardiac floor for over 20 years. She retired in 1997 after 38 years of nursing.
Graceanne was a dedicated member of Christ Church Presbyterian. She was a member of the Women's Circle, a very active choir member, and was director of Vacation Bible School for several years. She would assist her husband, Rev. Gerald Fennell with Youth Group and the Couple's Club. Graceanne and Jerry took pride in their church affiliations. They enjoyed the congregations and the laughter and many friendships. Graceanne continued to support Jerry at the Niles First Presbyterian Church and later the Poland Presbyterian Church where he served.
Graceanne's life revolved around her four grandchildren. They were the loves of her life. She became a child when she was surrounded by them. She was their biggest fan. Her grandchildren loved her pies, "dodgers", and her famous chocolate cake.
She and Jerry loved their time spent together in Estes Park, Colorado and at Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina. Everywhere they went they made friends along the way. Their friends at Ruby Tuesday in Canfield became a second family.
Graceanne loved to cook and play the piano. A devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Graceanne unconditionally gave of herself to her loving family. She was known by all and a stranger to none. She was fondly known as "the Snow Fairy" for her love of snow and Christmas.
Graceanne's husband and the love of her life, the Rev. Gerald Fennell, whom she married January 23, 1960, died May 22, 2013. She is survived by her three daughters, Susan (Peter) Kalan of Girard, Laurie (Michael) Crisan and Amy (Shawn) LaHart, both of Poland; four grandchildren, Emily F. Crisan, Nicholas P. Kalan, Jacob G. Kalan, Samantha G. LaHart; brother, Ted (Nancy) Wilson of Placida, Florida; and sister-in-law, Lucille Wilson of Hubbard.
Besides her parents and husband, Graceanne was preceded in death by her brother, Jack Wilson.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, January 25, at 2:00 PM at the Christ Church Presbyterian,1933 Canfield Road, Youngstown,Ohio 44511 with Dr. Robert Hoover, Dr. Bernard Oakes, and Rev. Ben Graves officiating.
Friends will be received Saturday, prior to the service, from 1:00 PM until 1:45PM at the church.
Mom and Dad- best friends and soul mates, together again!
The family requests that any memorial contributions in Graceanne's name, please take the form of contributions to the American Cancer Society, 525 N. Broad Street, Canfield, OH, 44406 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105.
Graceanne was born December 12, 1938 in Youngstown, a daughter of T.J. and Laverne Kashner Wilson.
A 1956 graduate of Hubbard High School, Graceanne continued her education at Trumbull Memorial School of Nursing, graduating in 1959 as a registered nurse. She began her career at Trumbull Memorial Hospital and Woodside Receiving Hospital. She later worked in private practice with Dr. James Might. Graceanne returned to Trumbull Memorial Hospital where she worked on the cardiac floor for over 20 years. She retired in 1997 after 38 years of nursing.
Graceanne was a dedicated member of Christ Church Presbyterian. She was a member of the Women's Circle, a very active choir member, and was director of Vacation Bible School for several years. She would assist her husband, Rev. Gerald Fennell with Youth Group and the Couple's Club. Graceanne and Jerry took pride in their church affiliations. They enjoyed the congregations and the laughter and many friendships. Graceanne continued to support Jerry at the Niles First Presbyterian Church and later the Poland Presbyterian Church where he served.
Graceanne's life revolved around her four grandchildren. They were the loves of her life. She became a child when she was surrounded by them. She was their biggest fan. Her grandchildren loved her pies, "dodgers", and her famous chocolate cake.
She and Jerry loved their time spent together in Estes Park, Colorado and at Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina. Everywhere they went they made friends along the way. Their friends at Ruby Tuesday in Canfield became a second family.
Graceanne loved to cook and play the piano. A devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Graceanne unconditionally gave of herself to her loving family. She was known by all and a stranger to none. She was fondly known as "the Snow Fairy" for her love of snow and Christmas.
Graceanne's husband and the love of her life, the Rev. Gerald Fennell, whom she married January 23, 1960, died May 22, 2013. She is survived by her three daughters, Susan (Peter) Kalan of Girard, Laurie (Michael) Crisan and Amy (Shawn) LaHart, both of Poland; four grandchildren, Emily F. Crisan, Nicholas P. Kalan, Jacob G. Kalan, Samantha G. LaHart; brother, Ted (Nancy) Wilson of Placida, Florida; and sister-in-law, Lucille Wilson of Hubbard.
Besides her parents and husband, Graceanne was preceded in death by her brother, Jack Wilson.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, January 25, at 2:00 PM at the Christ Church Presbyterian,1933 Canfield Road, Youngstown,Ohio 44511 with Dr. Robert Hoover, Dr. Bernard Oakes, and Rev. Ben Graves officiating.
Friends will be received Saturday, prior to the service, from 1:00 PM until 1:45PM at the church.
Mom and Dad- best friends and soul mates, together again!
The family requests that any memorial contributions in Graceanne's name, please take the form of contributions to the American Cancer Society, 525 N. Broad Street, Canfield, OH, 44406 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Graceanne Fennell, please visit our flower store.