Lillian Janet (Pacic) Picelle

Lillian Janet Picelle, age 101, passed with her Angels at her side, Sunday, February 6, peacefully in her sleep. Lillian was a lifelong resident of the area, growing up and initially living in Kent and moving later to the Rootstown area.

Lillian was born on March 1st, 1920 and was the daughter of Charles and Julie Pacic. She graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School and was married in 1940 to Frank Picelle, who preceded her in death in 2007. They enjoyed a wonderful and long 67-year marriage together, raising three children, son Frank Jr, tragically lost to the war in Vietnam, daughter Karen, formerly a lifelong resident of California, but now living in the area, and son Carl (Valarie), who also resides in the Rootstown area. Lillian was preceded in death by her three brothers, Jim, Donald (Duke) and Chuck Pacic.

Lillian for the most part, was a stay at home mother until her children were raised. She was a very thoughtful, well organized Mother, able to meet every need of the family. At an earlier age, she worked at the Ravenna Arsenal supporting the WW2 war effort. Later in life she held several jobs and positions that she enjoyed at the W.T. Grant Co., The Carousel Dinner Theatre, and for a short time, preparing soups for her son’s restaurant.

Lillian was known for her energetic, active lifestyle. She often spoke of the fun times that she had while growing up, dancing to the Big Band music, many times at the Brady Lake Ballroom, a love for music and dancing that remained with her throughout life, and she would always be on the dancefloor. She was always there to help in any of the family at large activities. She loved keeping an attractive and well-kept yard, often spotted on her John Deere tractor mowing into her elderly age and equally so, she always kept her household up to date, neat and ready at all time for visitors. Lillian volunteered for ladies’ club duties at her church, Saint Patrick’s in Kent, where she was a lifelong member. For many years, people recognized her as one of the Voting Day poll workers in the Rootstown district. In her younger years, Lillian enjoyed swimming and outdoor sports activities, but most of all, she was an avid and good bowler in both women’s leagues and with her husband Frank in couple’s leagues.

Known as Toot’s or Aunt Toot’s to the immediate family, she was always a bright light to everyone. She was fun, funny, and always the person everyone wanted to emulate. She was this families last survivor of the Greatest Generation, and the last survivor of the often referred to and lovingly held, “Lake Street Gang”, a large, diverse group of family and friends that grew up in the neighborhoods of East Lake Street in Kent during the Depression, that stayed tightly together through activities and picnics for many, many decades.

Calling hours will be held 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Friday, February 11, 2022 at Bissler & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory.  Funeral services will be held 10:00 AM Saturday, February 12, 2022, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Kent.  Burial will follow at Standing Rock Cemetery.

Services in care of Bissler & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory, 628 West Main Street, Kent, OH 44240.