Irma Janet (Leardi) Carchedi

Lowellville - Irma Janet Carchedi, died Monday morning, March 5, 2018 at Masternick Memorial Health Care Center.

Mrs. Carchedi was born February 12, 1920 in Lowellville, a daughter of Vito and Bella Rouzzo Leardi.

A life-long resident of Lowellville, Irma was a 1938 graduate of Lowellville High School. July 22, 1939 Irma married Joseph Carchedi and they made their home in Lowellville. While raising their young family, Irma worked at Strouss Department Store in downtown Youngstown. Both Irma and Joseph loved cooking and baking and they especially enjoyed welcoming family and friends into their home and sharing with them their favorite Italian dishes. In 1963 they opened Carchedi's Restaurant. People came to know Lowellville, Ohio because of Carchedi's Restaurant.

Irma was a member of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church, Holy Rosary Altar Guild, Ladies of Mount Carmel, and the Ladies Auxiliary of American Legion Post #247. Lowellville Day, 2001, Irma was honored with Woman of the Year. She stayed active well into her 90's playing in the Mt. Carmel Bocce League, Zodiak Bowling League, bingo, card games, gambling and casinos. Irma traveled numerous countries in Europe and several times to Italy. In the United States, New York City, Boston and of course, Las Vegas.

Irma loved life, she loved to go and was always willing to go. No grass grew under Irma's feet. Her favorite saying, "If you get a chance to go, Go!" A pillar of the community, Irma loved people, she was gracious, kind, and always smiling and loved walking everywhere in Lowellville. She acknowledged everyone and always recognized people's birthday, anniversary or their passing.

The Matriarch of the family, Irma was surrounded by her family during her transitioning from life to death and she enjoyed many conversations with those present and those who passed before her. Irma loved her family and her Italian heritage.

Her husband, Joseph, died Oct. 13, 1986. She leaves to cherish her memory, four children, Frank (Janet) Carchedi of Dayton. Carmela McCaughtry, Vito Carchedi and Bella Panici all of Lowellville; two sisters-in-law, Nancy Carchedi of Boardman and Antoinette Leardi of Fl; one brother-in-law, Lou Mamula of Lowellville; nine grandchildren, Bill (Terri) McCaughtry, Keith (Michele) McCaughtry, Vito (Linda) Carchedi, Michael (Krissy) Carchedi, Kim (Bob) Iudiciani, Lisa (Dave) Leone, Anthony Panici, Joe Carchedi, and Frank (Shelly) Carchedi; fourteen great-grandchildren, Thomas and Nick Carchedi, Will, Laila, Ainsley and Lexy McCaughtry, Joey Iudiciani, Vito Carchedi, Elyssia and Isaiah Gadd, and Vince, Giovanna, Dante, and Isabella Leone.

In addition to her parents and husband, Irma was preceded in death by four sisters, Liz Argeziano, Ann Selner, Carrie Raitano, and Noevella Mamula; three brothers, Louis, Larry, and Nick Leardi; two sons-in-law, Bill McCaughtry and Bob Panici; one grandchild, Tom McCaughtry; and one great-grandchild, Tom McCaughtry Jr.

Irma's family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of the staff at Masternick Memorial Health Care Center for the care and love they showed and will always be appreciated.

Friends and family will be received Thursday from 4-7 PM at the Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home, Lowellville.

A prayer service will be held Friday, 10:30AM at the Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home in Lowellville, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00AM at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church, with Fr. Larry Frient officiating. Keeping with tradition, Irma's family will host a luncheon following the funeral at Mt. Carmel Club.