Alma Jean Danner

Alma Jean Danner passed away peacefully on June 30, 2026, at The Gables of Green just a short time after celebrating her 95th birthday with her beloved family. Born June 20, 1931, in Canton, Ohio to Evelyn and Eugene Volzer, she was a graduate of Lehman High School before earning a teaching degree from Kent State University. While at KSU she was a cheerleader, and for years after she was active in the Delta Zeta Sorority. Her teaching career began with Canton Public Primary Schools, Cedar, with a break to raise her three children, Deanna, Jeff and Matt. She returned to primary teaching at St. Joan of Arc School before joining the Perry School District and retired in 1990 from Watson Elementary.

 A long-time resident of Canton and Perry Heights, Alma was a creative and artistic soul. Her beautiful oil paintings and portraits adorn the homes of her friends and family, and on notecards she sent to loved ones to mark special occasions. Her love of animals was obvious as a lifelong pet owner including dogs, birds and a rabbit. She was especially fond of hummingbirds, and had numerous wild bird feeders at her home. She also enjoyed playing piano and singing in the church choir. After retiring, she tap danced competitively with the Granny Apples at Candy Apples Studio and also at Jack Wadsworth Dance.

A woman of style, she was a successful Mary Kay consultant for many years, always looking her best and generously sharing makeup tips. She had previously sold World Book Encyclopedias, Home Interiors decor and Queensway fashions, helping others to enjoy beauty in their home and in their attire. She was also a pioneer in virtual shopping! Long before Amazon and other online outlets existed, Alma discovered the Home Shopping Network on television and was likely one of their top customers. She loved to share her finds and sourced many gifts from there as well. 

When not lounging in her pool or driving her convertible, she was on road trips to the Ozarks and New York City with her husband Joe and their youngest son Matt. Some of her other memorable adventures included visiting Florida with family, occasional trips to Las Vegas, cruising and traveling with Deanna's family to Hawaii, Bermuda as well as visiting them in Seoul, Korea.

 Alma was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years Joseph Danner, and we imagine them together in heaven listening to big band music and dancing the night away. 

She is survived by the joys of her life — her three children and four grandchildren. Deanna and Dave Young of Westwood, MA and their children who will miss "Grammy": Joshua Young of Boston, MA, and Joelle Young Patil and her husband Pankaj Patil of Canton, MA; Jeff and Lee Ann Danner, of Canton, OH and their children who called her "Grandma Elmo": Drake Danner of Boston, MA, and Kenlee Danner and her fiancé Paul Zenker of St. Petersburg, FL; Matt and Katy Danner, of Jackson Township, OH. She also leaves many nieces and nephews. 

During her last years, Matt was her primary caregiver, and he and Katy made sure her days were filled with love and companionship.

Services will be held Monday, August 3 at 11 a.m. at Woodlawn Church, followed by burial at Sunset Hills Memory Gardens. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Jude's or the Humane Society.