Jean Louise Mittiga

After a long battle with cancer, Jean L. Mittiga, 82, died on January 1, 2012. Jean was a lifelong resident of Kent, born November 27, 1929, to George L. and Della M. (Bauder) Morse. She graduated from Kent Roosevelt High School in 1947. A talented pianist, she studied under the late Harold Miles and received a Bachelors in Music from Kent State University in 1951. Jean was instrumental in assembling the 2001 Harold Miles Project, a collection of his piano compositions held in the Kent State Performing Arts Library. She earned a second degree in Education at Kent State, and taught at Seiberling Elementary School in Akron, Ohio. Like many women of her generation, she left the workforce to dedicate herself to raising a family with her husband, Joe. Her hobbies included reading, flower gardening, travel, and enjoying nature through long walks and backyard bird watching.

Jean is survived by her husband of over 60 years, Joseph P. Mittiga; children, Jeffrey and Mary Mittiga (David Burris); grandchildren, Sarah Burris and Molly Burris (John Stutts); and brother, Robert (Joy) Morse. She was preceded in death by her sister Marilyn (William) Harvey.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Friday, January 6th at Bissler & Sons Funeral Home in Kent, Ohio, with burial following the service at the Standing Rock Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, P .0. Box 631, Buffalo, New York, 14240 or online at: www.roswellpark.org/giving