Charmaine Carole Judy Streharsky, Ed.D.

MUNROE FALLS - Charmaine Carole Judy Streharsky, Ed.D., died in Christian faith in Akron, Ohio, on April 24, 2022. She was 75. She leaves her son, Robert Michael Streharsky and daughter-in-law, Ann (nee Kopnicky) of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio; daughter, Karla Kathleen Streharsky of Munroe Falls; siblings-in-law, Elizabeth (Streharsky) Irwin and Steve Streharsky, Sr., and many beloved cousins, (who are more like siblings), nieces, nephews, other extended family, dear friends, and dear neighbors (past and present.) She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Robert; parents, Ervin Michael and Ila Kathleen (nee Bumgardner) Judy; infant brother, Michael Ervin Judy, and several adoring dogs from various periods in her life.

Charmaine was born on May 20, 1946, in Akron, Ohio, and graduated from South High School in 1963. She married Bob on June 27, 1964, and they lived in Akron until they moved to Munroe Falls in 1974, where they lived the rest of their lives. She was a long-time member of both St. John / St. Paul Lutheran Church in Akron and the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Akron, from her birth until those churches’ respective closings. After SJSP closed in 2015, she became a member of St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Cuyahoga Falls.

Charmaine was an amazing woman who touched so many lives. People have described her as kind, caring, loving, thoughtful, generous, happy, easy to talk to, supportive, encouraging, never judgmental, sweet, welcoming, very special, a treasure, full of joy, loved by so many, always had a kind word, full of positivity and kindness, truly a blessing to the world, and a bright and beautiful light. She always helped people, usually quietly and behind the scenes. Her family members were her friends, and her friends became family.

She played a significant role in the lives of several refugee families sponsored by her SJSP church through their resettlement process, and she maintained longtime relationships with almost all of them until her death.

Her professional life was devoted to higher education, having spent decades at both The University of Akron and Kent State University in various administrative roles and as a professor. After 30 years at The University of Akron, she retired in 1996 as the Director of Research Services and Sponsored Programs. She then worked as a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Dept. of Public Administration and Urban Studies at UA for a few years and at the U.S. Postal Service Remote Encoding Center in Akron. In 2003, she began a second career working at Kent State University for another 17 years, first as a Licensing Coordinator for Technology Transfer, then as a Senior Sponsored Programs Administrator in the Research and Sponsored Programs Division. Over her entire career, she taught several courses in grant proposal writing, ethics, and leadership and decision making.

She earned and maintained certification as a Certified Research Administrator (CRA) for 22 years of her career. She was an enthusiastic supporter of developing and applying technology for the improvement of humanity’s welfare and was excited to be involved in that endeavor as both a facilitator and a teacher. She retired (again) from Kent State in 2020 at the age of 74 to care for her husband.

Regarding that, Charmaine’s children are grateful to their parents’ primary care physician, Gayleen Kolaczewski, MD, of Munroe Falls, who not only cared for their parents’ medical needs, but also cared about them and became a dear friend to the entire family, despite the never-ending banter regarding Steelers vs. Browns.

Charmaine’s own education took a back seat to her family life, initially when she left college to get married in 1964, (because women lost their scholarships if they married), and to have her children. Over the course of the next 20 years while she worked full-time, raised her children with her husband, and cared for her parents and other elderly relatives, she continued her university education - usually one course at a time at UA - earning her associate degree in Business Management Technology and then her bachelor’s degree in Technical Education. She then proceeded much more rapidly to earn her master’s degree (1988) in Technical Education, then ultimately her Doctor of Education degree (1994) in Higher Education Administration, of which her children are extremely proud. She herself was quite humble about it, however, preferring to be addressed as “Mrs.” instead of “Dr.” outside of teaching.

Despite her career and professional work and accomplishments, family always was the center of Charmaine’s life. She worked tirelessly for her husband and children, as well as for her parents, their entire lives and went above and beyond in their declining years. Family was even at the center of her hobbies as she devoted many, many hours to genealogy research and recording, which she delighted in sharing with her family. She found multiple lineages that led to the American Revolution and was an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution for many years. Her guest room walls are filled with family photos.

Her goodness did not stop with her family. Charmaine was kind, welcoming, and gracious to everyone she met. She was a devoted Christian and sought to live and spread those values. She welcomed everyone, made them feel special, and would go above and beyond to help them.

She was generous almost to a fault, to both family and friends, and she always had words of encouragement. She couldn’t bear it when those she loved were in conflict and would always try to help them smooth things over quickly. The world was a better place with Charmaine in it. Her absence leaves a void for so many people, but we are better people for knowing her. She will be missed greatly, and that is an understatement.

Visitation with her family will be held Monday, May 2, 2022, from 5 - 7 PM at Redmon Funeral Home, 3633 Darrow Road, Stow 44224. Graveside service is open to friends and family and will be held on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, at 11 AM in Section M of Greenlawn Cemetery, 2580 Romig Road, Akron 44320.

All are invited to leave messages as desired on Charmaine’s obituary pages (either on ohio.com or at redmonfuneralhome.com .)

In lieu of flowers, Charmaine’s children ask that anyone who wishes to make a gift do so directly to an individual or family in need, or to a charitable organization that promotes the welfare of people or animals, with a mention to the recipient that it is in memory of Charmaine Streharsky.