Carole Reardon

Carole Ann Shutrump Reardon, 90, passed away peacefully surrounded by loving family on April 11, 2024, after a short illness.

Carole was born in Youngstown on March 18, 1934, to Frederick and Helen Buchmann Shutrump. As the 9th of 10 children, she developed a love of family at a very young age. Several of her brothers served during World War II. Given her powerful memories, she cherished the honorific “The Greatest Generation.”  The spelling of her name was chosen because of the popularity of Hollywood Golden Age actress Carole Lombard. Surprisingly, as young women they resembled each other!

A student at St. Patrick’s Grade School in Youngstown, she later attended Ursuline High School and the Villa Maria. She took classes at Youngstown College (now YSU) and earned a degree in philosophy from The Catholic University of America.

After a short stint teaching third grade at St. Charles School, Carole met the love of her life, John (“Jack”) Reardon. They married on January 5, 1957 and celebrated 66 anniversaries. Together they had 7 children, 16 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

Carole valued her role as wife, mother and grandmother above all. Her favorite time for gatherings was around the holidays when all the family would be home; she decorated the house resplendently for the season. She loved giving and receiving gifts, especially at Christmas. Santa and Mrs. Claus always showed up at her home when grandchildren were around! She looked forward to family poker games at holidays.

She loved more than anything to entertain friends old and new in her beautiful homes in Canfield and Boardman. She had a wonderful sense of humor, immensely enjoyed being around people, and never missed the opportunity to attend a party. In fact, regardless of the circumstances, given a few people and a bottle (or two) of wine she’d create an impromptu party.

Carole enjoyed traveling with her husband and family; she visited practically every state and almost 25 countries. She enjoyed art museums, and places of historical and cultural interest. She loved movies since childhood. Starting at the age of 5, she walked to the Uptown Theater every Saturday afternoon to see the weekly feature. She said that her mom gave her a dime—a nickel for the movie and a nickel for popcorn. While she did not achieve her goal of becoming a famous movie star (much too busy with kids and grandkids), in her 80s she did play a small role in a movie called “Jim Shoe.”

She spent a large chunk of her life shopping, always on a mission to find the best deal. She enjoyed family meals. She loved good German food, and never turned down a glass of wine. She was a football fan, especially Ursuline High School—she spent most Fall Friday nights at YSU Stadium cheering for the Fighting Irish. She was also a Buckeyes and YSU Penguins fan.

Carole was a devout Catholic and daily communicant. Her close friends and family knew her faith to be silent yet strong, a pillar of strength during hard times and a source of joy during happy times. She took great pride in family members’ achievements.

Carole is preceded in death by her parents, nine siblings, and a son, Matthew. Her husband Jack died in June, 2023.

She leaves children John (Darla), Michael (Jayne), Mary Ann, Frederick, Thomas (Gi Gi) and Daniel (Amanda). She is also survived by sixteen grandchildren: John’s family – Sarah (Brett) Bauer, Charlotte (Andrew) Lizon and Jack; Mike’s family – Daniel, Andrew, Claire and Anne; Mary Ann’s family – Christopher, Tess and Genevieve Dilan; Tom’s family – Sasha; Dan’s family – Emma, Matthew, Patrick, Grace and Maggie. Carole also leaves great- grandchildren Vera and Julian Lizon, and Vivian Bauer.

Family and friends may pay their respects Thursday April 18, from 5 to 8 PM at Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Boardman-Canfield Chapel, 3701 Starr's Centre Drive.

Prayers will be held Friday April 19, at 10:15 AM at the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM at St. Patrick Church in Youngstown.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to: The John and Carole Reardon Memorial Scholarship Fund (c/o Ursuline High School, 750 Wick Avenue, Youngstown, OH 44505).