Jeanie (Gambaccini) Hiestand, 68 years old, went home with the Lord on December 9, 2018 after a four and a half year battle with evil cancer. She was devoted to her family and thoroughly enjoyed spending time with family, friends, and the little ones she taught.
Jeanie was born to Carl and Millie Gambaccini, Kent, on October 28, 1950. Her most important roles were wife, mother, and Nonna. She taught numerous children at Field Local Schools, KSU Elementary as an integrated handicap kindergarten teacher, Summit Country Day, a private school in Cincinnati, Department of Defense Dependents' School as a kindergarten teacher in Germany, a teacher and principal at St. Patrick School in Kent, the first Extended Day Kindergarten teacher for Kent Schools, and finished 20 years as a Reading Consultant where she taught the very effective Reading Recovery Program.
She married her endearing husband, Doug, in 1983. Her love for her children Elizabeth (Michael) and Matthew (Bekah) can only be described by the greatest gift God can bestow upon another.
Her cherished grandchildren Jack, Will, and Walter Sargent and Solomon and Johanna Hiestand were truly the love and light which one always prays for. The most precious jewels Jeanie would wear around her neck are the loving arms of her grandchildren.
Jeanie is survived by her husband, Doug; her children, Elizabeth (Michael) Sargent and Matthew (Bekah) Hiestand; her grandchildren, Jack, Will, Walter, Solomon, and Johanna; her siblings, John (Carol), Jane (Bill), Jerry (Ann Metzner), and many wonderful nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews as well as cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents Carl (1990) and Millie (2018) Gambaccini and nephew Christopher Gambaccini (2018).
The family will welcome loved ones and friends at Bissler and Sons Funeral Home, Kent on Monday, December 17 from 4-7 in the evening. The Christian Burial Mass will be held on Tuesday, December 18 at St. Patrick Church, Kent at 10 in the morning.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to St. Patrick School Endowment Fund, 127 Portage St., Kent. The family sincerely thanks Harbor Light Hospice, especially Kris Bosley, for the exceptional care. Jeanie and her family are eternally thankful for the outpouring of love and support they have received over the past few years; supportive siblings, visits with friends, endless meals & gifts from the Davey staff, nourishment drop offs, and so much more.
Calling Hours
DEC
17.
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Bissler & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory
628 W Main Street
Kent
Mass of Christian Burial
DEC
18.
10:00 AM
St. Patrick Church
313 DePeyster St.
Kent