Emily Serian

Emily B. “Nana” (Sitosky) Serian, lover of Cleveland Indians baseball, popcorn, apples, gardening and her family, died at the age of 105. She attributes her longevity to living greedy for life—a desire to absorb every moment.  With her sense of humor, her wit and her beautiful smile intact, she told us that it was time to see what “God was up to.” She died peacefully surrounded by her family and her treasured Indians baseball memorabilia.

She is preceded in death by her husband Joseph Serian who we imagine will greet her by asking her, “Woman, what took you 32 years?” Her son Joseph Serian Jr. and her baby Virginia. Her parents, Cedric and Adele Sitosky and 15 of her 16 siblings.

She leaves behind family and friends who will keep her wisdom, her greed for life, and her recipes alive.

Her daughter, Joann (Serian) Stevic, a devoted caregiver and holder of the secret bread recipe and Bill Stevic, the maker of her morning coffee. Her daughter in-law Kay Serian, gardening buddy.

Her grandchildren, Diane Stevic Freede, the first and most spoiled princess and Arnold (Skip) Freede lover of her ginger snap cookies. Lori Stevic-Rust her college roommate, co-author and her boss and Jay Rust her “Big Man” and personal baseball color commentator. Leanne Stevic Edmonds her pie maker, pasta maker, secret breaker of all Lori’s rules and Jim Edmonds her “sitter” and co-creator of a lunch filed with cottage cheese and salt and vinegar chips.

Mark and Judy Serian (deceased), her personal shopper.  Marianne Serian Quintrell, caregiver of her Rose of Sharon tree and Rick Quintrell, her shared baseball enthusiast. Paul Serian and Carrie Serian, keeper of the heirloom garden seeds.

Her great grandchildren Jennifer French Blosser, regular gardener and lover of her slumber parties and Trevor Blosser, inquisitive listener of her childhood stories. Stephanie French Bohardt, who left her with post traumatic Chuckie Cheese ball pit syndrome and Douglas Bohardt, Philadelphia native converted to occasional fellow Indians fan. Nicole Freede, recipe enthusiast.

Sarah Emily Rust, her namesake, recipient of thumb sucking instructions and kindergarten helper. Katelyn Rust, her cuddle buddy, turkey wing sharer, and bearer of daily gifts and treats. Alexandra Edmonds, audience to her stories and fellow reader of all things. Dominique Edmonds her part time roomie and late night gossip buddy. Richard Quintrell, the heart and essence of her son.

Her sweet great, great grandchildren; Xzavier, Lennox and Nixon Blosser; Chloe and Amelia Bohardt (Nana’s name sake).

She was gifted through marriage with the following grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Amanda Dowling. Kelsey, Regan and Melissa Quintrell. Heather and Buddy Nemcheck and their children Caleb, Landon, Rylee and Talon. Karla and Dan Seery. Ryan and Brittany Freede and their twins Logan and Luke. Mark Edmonds (deceased) and Christian Garcia. Wendy Edmonds Mocker and Doug Mocker. Joshua and Courtney Edmonds and their children Colin, Ethan and Pixie.

Even in her last hours, Nana was coordinating her care and expressing her wishes that we honor her life by sharing compassion, tolerance and kindness to each other, that we find ways to help those who are hungry and that everyone root for her beloved Cleveland Indians to win the World Series in 2017.  She wanted us to thank the Dolan family for their generosity of giving her years of deeply cherished memories at the ball park with her Cleveland Indians. And to Tito and his players, she shook her crooked, Polish finger and with a very weak breath said, “I will be watching—win it for me this year boys.”

It is Nana’s request that if you wish to honor her life, you consider donating your time or resources to the Lake County Council on Aging Meals on Wheels Program 8520 East Ave., Mentor, OH 44060 or the Cleveland Food Bank 15500 S. Waterloo Rd., Cleveland, OH 44110.

Mass of Christian Burial Monday, September 11, 2017 at 9:30 AM at St. Anselm Catholic Church 13013 Chillicothe Rd., Chesterland, OH 44026. Burial at 4:30 PM at Calvary Cemetery, 444 South Main St., Punxsutawney, PA 15767. Family will receive friends to pay tribute to and celebrate the life of Emily at THE DeJOHN FUNERAL HOME & CELEBRATIONS CENTER OF CHESTERLAND 12811 CHILLICOTHE ROAD (Rt. 306, just south of Mayfield Rd.)  SUNDAY 2-8 PM.