CONNEAUT — Lilyan I. Reo, age 94, of Conneaut, Ohio, died early Monday, Oct. 15, 2012, at Lake Pointe Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.
Lilyan was born on Oct. 31, 1917, in Conneaut, the daughter of Richard and Lempi (Perala) Ritari and was a 1935 graduate of Conneaut High School. She married her late husband, Ralph, and they raised their seven children together.
Lilyan was a devoted wife and mother. She worked previously at the White Turkey making the famous Turkey sandwiches, and pizza’s at the Rainbow Café and Wonder Bar.
Lilyan loved to cook her famous spaghetti and bake her wonderful homemade breads. Lilyan loved the outdoors, she even canned her own tomatoes and also enjoyed her favorite flower the Geranium. She was an avid Cleveland Browns fan and Ohio State Buckeyes fan.
She was a member of St. Mary/ St. Frances Cabrini Parish. Lilyan especially loved spending time with her family and the big family reunions, Christmas parties and any family gatherings.
Lilyan was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ralph Reo in 1980; a daughter, Regina Delmore; an infant son, Ralph Reo; an infant daughter, Mary Reo; two son-in-laws, James Richardson and Donald Schiavone; sister, Helen Smothers; and brothers, Russell “Skinny” Ritari, Wayno Ritari, Lar Ritari, Eno Ritari and Arvo Ritari.
She is survived by daughters, Rosemary and Harry Fails of Alliance, Ohio, Bonnie Schiavone of Conneaut, Kathy and Kwo/Sun Chu of Coatesville, Pa., Pam Richardson of Richmond, Ohio, and Lorrie Mullin of Conneaut; a son, Richard “Rick” and Mary Alice Reo of Paw Paw, Mich.; 17 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren, the newest great-grandchild was named Lilyan Rose Schiavone after her great-grandmother; and several nieces and nephews.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 18th, at St. Mary Church, 480 State St., Conneaut, with Father Philip Miller as celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Route 20, Conneaut.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary/ St. Frances Cabrini Parish or Station Three Firefighters Association. Envelopes will be available at the Church or at THE RAISIAN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 581 Harbor St., Conneaut.
At Lilyan’s request no calling hours will be held.
View obituary and sign guestbook at www.raisianfuneralhome.com and starbeacon.com.
