Carolyn Menelle

AUSTINTOWN - Services will be on Tuesday at 1 p.m. at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home, Austintown Chapel for Carolyn Nevada Snyder Menelle, 85, who died Tuesday evening at her home.

Carolyn was born May 27, 1924 in Scottdale, Pa, the daughter of Paul T.D. and Edna "Gertrude" Shivley Snyder.

She grew up and worked on her family's farm and graduated from East Huntington Township High School in 1942.

She began her career in the hospitality industry at the Tod Hotel in Youngstown in its Walnut Room, where she had the opportunity to serve lunch to President John F. Kennedy during a visit to Youngstown in 1963. She later began a second career at the GM Lordstown Plant, where she had worked for over 20 years, retiring in 1989. Since her retirement, she enjoyed her home, family, neighbors and fellow retirees.

In addition to being a dedicated wife and mother, she had taught herself how to play the piano and organ. She loved playing the organ for her family and friends, continuing to play through most of this year until the time of her illness. One of her fondest memories was playing the piano most of the night with JoAnn Castle of the Lawrence Welk Show at Carolyn's home on the Northside of Youngstown during the 1970s.

She also enjoyed bowling, cooking, baking and maintaining her 1984 Buick Electra.

She is survived by her two sons, Frank R. Robbins Jr. of Austintown, Paul R. "Rick" Robbins of Melbourne, Fla.; a stepdaughter, Carol Jean Joe Bednarcik; a sister, Laverne Wayne Weaver of Daytona, Fla.; a niece, Carol Tylecki; three grandchildren, Donna "Michelle" Bill Wilcox of Columbus, Sgt. Charles R. "Charlie" Robbins of Ft. Bragg, N.C., and Lisa Renee Robbins of Austintown; and two great-grandchildren, Gage and Jessie.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John J. Menelle and an infant brother.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday and from noon to 1 p.m Tuesday at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home, Austintown Chapel.