Monica Repasky

POLAND - Monica Freer Repasky, 70, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, teacher, and friend, entered into eternal life at home on March 3, 2017, after an extended illness.

Monica was born July 7, 1946, in Amsterdam, N.Y., a daughter of the late Melrose and Nellie (Pileckas) Freer.

She grew up in the Amsterdam area, attended a one-room schoolhouse until third grade, graduated from Saint Mary's Institute in Amsterdam and Rosary Hill College in Buffalo, N.Y.

Monica was a lifelong educator. She began her career teaching at Greece Elementary in Rochester, N.Y., and then worked for the Copley School District in Copley. Monica taught at Holy Family Catholic School in Poland for over 30 years. She received the Golden Apple Award from the Diocese of Youngstown in 2003.

Monica served as co-chair of the Ohio Catholic Schools Accreditation Association Committee for Holy Family School for three terms. She also was a member of the Leadership Academy for the Diocese of Youngstown. Monica was not only a teacher and mentor, but also a faithful servant of the Catholic church to the more than 2,000 students and families that she touched. Her legacy will live on in the lives of those outstanding young men and women who have gone on to making a difference in our region and beyond, and who never forgot her impact upon them.

Outside the classroom, Monica enjoyed spending her time with family and friends, softball, golf, bowling, gardening, walking, reading, Wednesdays and Fridays at Rip's Café, watching her grandchildren play sports and never missing a special occasion for those she loved.

She is survived by her husband, M. Raymond, whom she married on July 27, 1968; her children, Lisa (Andrew) Leatherman of New Albany and Dr. Michael Repasky of Powell; her brothers and sisters, Geoffrey Freer of Atlanta, Peter (Darlene) Freer of Syracuse, N.Y., Kevin Freer of Orlando, Fla., Susan Freer of Scotia, N.Y., Kristan Barry of Buffalo, Molly (Liam) Cahill of Waterford, N.Y., Brian (Maureen) Freer of Pearl River, N.Y., Anne Freer of Amsterdam, Bernadette (Jim) McSparron of Albany, N.Y., and Michael Freer of Buffalo; sisters-in-law Patty (Richard) Norman of Indianapolis, Janet (Leonard) Morris of Struthers, and Marilyn (Donnie) Watt of Struthers; her grandchildren, Emily, Natalie and Abby Leatherman, Hannah, Ryan and Luke Repasky.

She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, and countless colleagues, students and families touched by her giving spirit.

In addition to her parents, Monica was preceded in death by her parents-in-law, Michael "Rip" Repasky and Mary (Doroshenko) Repasky; and her sister-in-law, Phyllis Freer.

On Saturday, March 11, 2017, prayers for Monica will begin at 9:15 a.m. at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Poland Chapel, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated by Monsignor William J. Connell at 10 a.m. at the Holy Family Catholic Church in Poland.

Interment at St. John's Cemetery in Lowellville will follow.

Friends and family may call from 3 to 7 p.m. on Friday, March 10, 2017, at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Poland Chapel, 2726 Center Road.

Monica's family would like to thank the many doctors, nurses, and staff who cared so lovingly for her during her five-year fight against breast/bone cancer, and especially Dr. Chris Knight of The Hope Center who cared for her since her initial diagnosis of breast cancer over 26 years ago. The family is also grateful to the caregivers of Hospice of the Valley for the respectful and dignified manner in which they cared for Monica.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Holy Family School, Monica Repasky Scholarship Fund, 2731 Center Road, Poland, OH 44514.

Visit www.higgins-reardon.com to send condolences to the family.