Janet Adele Begue (Nee Schmitt)

STOW - Janet Adele Begue (nee Schmitt), age 90, passed away July 15, 2024.

Beloved wife of 66 years to Eugene (deceased); dear daughter of the late Albert and Adella (nee Knapp); loving mother of Elaine Atkinson (Timothy), Eugene, Jr., (Laura), Gail Stotlar (Jeff), Patty Berryman (Dave Thorpe), John (Lisa Grim), and Eric; cherished grandmother of Laura (Derrick), Gena, Frank, John (Alexis), Michael, Joseph, Steven, David, Trevor (Abby), Natalie (Sam), Alex, Meghan (Zach), Katie, Andrew, Coleman, and Kendall; great grandmother of Nora, Henry, Hudson, Eloise, James, Josephine, Elizabeth, Ian, and Noah; sister-in-law of Catherine Knapp, and, brother-in-law of Paul Lostoski.

Preceded in death by brothers and sisters, Helen Smith, Margaret Lawrence, Raymond, and Albert, Jr.

Janet was a secretary for the Davis Printing Company in Barberton. She was a domestic engineer for many years. She volunteered for the Women’s Auxiliary Board of Akron Children’s Services, and she enjoyed playing cards and music.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, at Redmon Funeral Home, 3633 Darrow Road, Stow, from 5 - 7 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, at Holy Family Catholic Church, 3179 Kent Road, Stow, at 11:00 AM. Burial immediately following at St. Joseph Cemetery, 2643 Waterloo Road, in Randolph, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice.

JANET SCHMITT BEGUE

Janet was born in Barberton, Ohio to Adella (Knapp) and Albert Schmitt on June 23, 1934.

She was the youngest of five children.  After graduation from Barberton High School, Janet worked as a secretary for approximately three years at the Davis Printing Company. Janet met her future husband on a blind date and married Eugene F. Begue on October 27, 1956.  Janet and “Gene” built a ranch house in Suffield, Ohio, and proceeded to raise six children born from 1957-1969.

Janet was the strongest woman one could ever meet.  She was a perfectionist to a fault. She was determined, methodical, and detail oriented with high expectations for everyone in the family. Often times, she would be cooking, helping someone with homework, keeping an eye on the little ones, setting the table and monitoring loads of laundry all at once.  She was a neat nick.  She prided herself on keeping a clean, organized household.  She was the true “head of the household.”  “Gene” worked long days in construction.  Janet was the essence of a “stay-at-home-mom,” holding down the “fort” while “Gene” worked from sunup to sundown.

In 1987, Janet and “Gene” built a new house in Stow, Ohio.  Together they witnessed sixteen grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren until Gene passed away in March 2023.  Since then, two additional great-grandchildren were born and Janet moved to Hudson, Ohio. She spent the last eight months in Memory Care at Hudson Grande.

Janet loved music and loved to dance to polka music.  She played the accordion in high school and was a member of the Glee Club. “Gene” bought her a white lacquer baby grand piano for Christmas one year.  It was a player piano as well.  They would listen to it and have it blasting for parties.  The grandchildren would “play” it for everyone. She was quick to start a game of Polish Poker with anyone. Janet loved all kinds of games and was a member of Bridge Club for quite some time.  She loved to gamble as well.  She was the luckiest person winning two jackpots in one night!  She was raised Catholic and raised her children Catholic as well. She had a deep devotion to the Virgin Mary and often said the rosary in the middle of the day for special intentions.   Janet volunteered her time with the Women’s Auxiliary Board of Akron Children’s Services for many years.

She enjoyed her children, but absolutely adored and loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren. From oldest to youngest; Elaine and husband, Tim Atkinson, sons John (Alexis) - children Eloise, James, Josephine and Elizabeth; Michael - child Ian and Joseph.  Eugene, Jr. and wife, Laura Begue, daughters Laura and husband, Derrick Cobb - children Nora, Henry and Hudson; Gena and her partner, Joe, and son Eugene F. Begue, III.  Gail and husband, Jeff Stotlar, sons Steven, David, and Trevor fiancé (Abby). Patty Berryman and her partner, David Thorpe, daughters Natalie (Sam) Dye - child Noah, and Alex Berryman. John Begue and partner Lisa Grimm - daughters, Meghan (Zach) Slanker and Katie (Michael). Eric Begue - sons, Andrew (Thuy), Coleman, and daughter, Kendall.

Janet encouraged her children to be strong and independent in life.  She was a survivor of breast cancer, open heart surgery, a stroke and so many broken bones, falls and procedures. She was a fighter and never complained.  She was the heartbeat of our family and for that we are truly grateful.  Rest in peace now dearest Janet (mom).  Be free of pain and free of worry. Your family and friends will love you forever and always.