YOUNGSTOWN - On July 7, 2016, Jo Marie (Provenzale) Takacs, 86, passed away peacefully and joined her beloved husband, Lou, after a long battle with dementia and Alzheimer's.
Jo Marie was born in Bellevue on Sept. 2, 1930, the daughter of Donna (Giampietro) and Anthony Provenzale. Her family moved to Youngstown's east side when she was a young child.
She was a 1948 graduate of East High School. Upon graduation, Jo Marie went back to Bellevue and worked as a telephone operator for Ohio Bell. She then returned to Youngstown and worked at the Bridal Shop at Livingston's downtown.
She married her husband, Lou in 1951, and they settled on the west side of Youngstown to raise their family. Her family was the center of her world!
She was an active member of St. Brendan's Catholic Church.
Once her children were grown, she went back to work for Kroger's. She then branched off into photography where she worked for Abbey Studios and "Photography By Neil," taking school pictures throughout the area for 10 years. She also spent hours on end in her yard planting, raking and mowing. She loved the outdoors!
Jo Marie was preceded in death by her husband, Lou, who passed away in July of 2010; her son, John, who passed away suddenly in 2013; and her parents.
She is survived by her three daughters, Mary Jo (Jim) Fisher of Aurora, Donna (Sam) Santisi of Canfield and Marie (Tom) Guerrieri of Poland; her daughter-in-law, Sarah O'Leary Takacs of Hilton Head Island, S.C.; and her three precious grandchildren, whom she adored, Zachary Takacs of Hilton Head Island, Garrett Guerrieri and Lexi Guerrieri of Poland. She is also survived by her brother, Michael Provenzale of Youngstown; her nephew, Tony (Theresa) Provenzale of Canfield; and her niece, Donna (Chris) of Youngstown.
Jo Marie had one surviving aunt, Rose Matasic of Youngstown and several first cousins, great-nieces and a great-nephew in the Youngstown area. In addition, Jo Marie had eight cherished childhood friends, who were called "The Club Girls," who remained close friends during their lives and played cards every month. These were her dearest and closest friends and six have survived her.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made in Jo Marie's memory to The Alzheimer's Association, Greater East Ohio Chapter, 70 W. Streetsboro St., Hudson, OH 44236, OR MVI Hospice Care, 4891 Belmont Ave., Youngstown, OH 44505.
Jo Marie's family would like to extend their thanks and appreciation to all of the staff at both The Inn at Ironwood and the Inn at Christine Valley, where she spent her final years. The kindness, loving care and wonderful attitudes of all of the staff were overwhelming. In addition, they would like to thank the nurses and staff at MVI Hospice Care who made sure that Jo Marie was comfortable and cared for during the last days of her life.
A private funeral Mass will be held.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Boardman-Canfield Chapel.
Service
JUL 11. 10:00 AM
St. Columba Cathedral
159 W. Rayen Avenue
Youngstown, OH, US