Jeanette C. Sobonya

Jeanette C. Sobonya was an incredible woman of great strength, love, devotion and unmatchable charisma. She was born April 2, 1932 in Cleveland, Ohio to Italian-immigrant parents, Adeline and Marian Ferritto, and upon her passing on Saturday, December 4, 2010, is survived by 3 children, 3 sisters and 1 brother, 6 nieces and1 nephew, 9 grandchildren and10 great-grandchildren.

She was the true north to her family and central to so many of her friend’s lives. After hanging up her majorette baton from John Adam’s High School in 1950, she married and became central to her 3 boys’ lives. And when life’s obstacles emerged, her strong, independent nature began to take hold. Jeanette was a trailblazer, a true entrepreneur. She opened her own boutique and later, a crafting business through which she sold hand-decorated baskets and handcrafted holiday ornaments. Jeannette traveled the world in style, uncovering, among several places, the Italian life where her parents were from originally. Always ready to experience the next fabulous adventure life had to offer, Jeanette was active with the Come for Cocktails club and the Stepping Out group of St. Francis of Assisi. She also was active with the Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA) Victory Lodge and the infamous, Red Hat Society.

To friends, Jeanette epitomized a generous, loving spirit with an unmatchable sense of style and class.

To family, Jeannette symbolized devotion. She was the foundation – the heart and soul of the Sobonya/Ferritto clan. She was the classy, fabulous thread that held everyone together.

She will be forever missed.

Jeanette was the cherished and loving mother of William L., Jr. (wife Pam), Timothy A. (wife Michelle) and Scott L. Devoted grandmother of Billy (wife Chrissy), Stephanie Sobonya-Czech (husband Jason), Natalie Sobonya-McAllister (husband Matthew), Mark (wife Debi), Danielle Ciulla (husband Mike), Tracy, Nicole DeCenso (husband Tim), Nicholas, Anna Marie and great-grandmother of Anthony, Carmen, Bayley, Michael, Madison, Gianna, Marko, Lola, Tim and Dylan. Treasured daughter of the late Marian and Adeline (nee Romano) Ferritto. Dearest sister of Grace Ferritto, Carmen Peto (husband Robert, deceased), Dorothy Kletchie (husband Clarence) and M. Anthony Ferritto, Jr. Dear aunt and great-aunt of many.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, December 11, 2010 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church at 10:00 AM. Interment following at All Saints Cemetery.

The family will receive friends to pay tribute to and celebrate the life of Jeanette at THE DeJOHN-FLYNN-MYLOTT FUNERAL HOME of South Euclid, 4600 Mayfield Road. (just east of Green Rd.) on Friday, December 10, 2010 from 3:00-5:00 PM and 6:00-9:00 PM.

Jeanette was a secretary for Volpe and was a member of the Eagles Club of Willoughby; Ladies Auxiliary to Veterans of Foreign Wars; Red Hats Society and ISDA. She loved writing and making crafts especially baskets and ornaments. Jeanette loved crocheting and was a wonderful cook. Her travels included trips to Italy, France and Greece. Her family remembers her as a caring fashionable and classy lady. She was very loving, giving and generous and was always very positive. Her granddaughters said that she was a very strong and independent woman.

Mass of Christian Burial Saturday, December 11, 2010 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church at 10 AM. Interment following at All Saints Cemetery.

Family will receive friends to pay tribute to and celebrate the life of Jeanette at THE DeJOHN-FLYNN-MYLOTT FUNERAL HOME OF SOUTH EUCLID, 4600 MAYFIELD RD. (just east of Green Rd.) FRIDAY 3-5 and 6-9 PM.