Joanne F. Zeglen

Joanne F. Zeglen

Joanne F. Zeglen died peacefully in her daughter’s home in Uniontown, Ohio on February 10, 2026. She was 90 years old.

She was born on June 19, 1935 in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. She lived in a small, Southwestern PA coal mining town, Royal, and graduated from Redstone High School. Following graduation, she worked as the secretary for a Uniontown PA department store. After her first child was born, she chose to be a stay-at-home mom and ran a tight ship. Her children always knew it was Wednesday—the day she cleaned all the woodwork with Murphys’ Oil Soap.

After her husband passed following a 5-year battle with cancer, the mid-40s widow attended Stark Technical College for medical records. When needed, she left college and worked full time as both a phlebotomist and secretary for PH Medical Lab and later as an insurance secretary for Dr. Bazzoli, OBGYN.

She was a current member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and past member of St. Mary Church in Massillon. She was a member of Canton Garden club, served as a girl scout leader in St. Mary’s and was an original “hot dog lady”--a group of mothers who prepared a weekly hot lunch for St. Marys’ elementary students. She used her immense skills to sew, crochet and craft many gifts for her family. She enjoyed flowers, baking, the Godfather movies, puzzles, reading, and tv dramas.

But it all paled in comparison with her love of her children and grandchildren. She was famous for her homemade birthday cut-out cakes. She was a girl scout leader for both daughters, sewed many matching dresses, and completed a tv worthy bedroom makeover that included homemade pink gingham bedspreads and pink shag carpet. She supported her son making jam from elderberries he brought home and by typing college papers with carbon copies. She also enjoyed her vegetable garden at a local farm and eventually at her son’s home. She canned her garden bounty including homemade spaghetti and pizza sauces. She was a worrier to the end – she always insisted that everyone call when arriving home from visits or other travel.

She did not think of herself as a strong and determined woman but she was amazing—raising three children on her own in the 1970s-80s. Though not a college graduate herself, she insisted that all her children graduate college and she completed the many financial aid forms to make that happen. During her lifetime, through sheer will and physical therapy, she successfully recovered from shoulder and knee surgeries, to be followed by double by-pass heart surgery in her 80s. Her spirit never left her, for in the past 5 years, she survived a broken femur, sepsis, and several falls.

Her love of family extended to her 5 grandchildren—every Wednesday afternoon her three local grandchildren enjoyed quality time, outings and dinner with their "Mia". Her two Pennsylvania grandchildren enjoyed annual summer weeks with Grammy visiting many local attractions and the water park at Massillon Rec Center. Her granddaughter called her Sassy Grammy for her occasional quips that caught us off guard but were completely on mark! One of her favorite family events was the annual Zeglen Christmas cookie baking week, when her daughters, granddaughters and eventually the great granddaughters assembled for cookie baking marathons that produced mountains of cookies for our families and friends. She could never believe that enough cookies were made to use 85 pounds of butter and 80 pounds of flour!!!

A close second to her family was her love and passion for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Hers was one of the first houses to install cable TV - the primary reason was Steelers games on the Steubenville channel. She cheered on the steel curtain in the 70s and she loved watching Jerome “the Bus” Bettis run for touchdowns. She attended Steeler training camp and was even on the field during a pre-season Steeler home game during the coin toss —she was the obvious (and only!) choice for adult chaperone when her Pittsburgh granddaughter was the honorary captain. Later in her life, when the Steelers were not so great, her children often called during Steeler games to make sure that poor playing did not cause her a heart attack!

Following the death of her husband of 20 years, she devoted herself solely to her children and grandchildren for 30 years. However, at the age of 70, she was able to enjoy 15 years of spending time with her special friend and childhood neighbor, Paul. She finally had another partner with whom to spend time, travel, enjoy some winter weeks in his Florida home, play the slots, and enjoy taking care of each other.

Even though she would not agree, she was a strong willed and fiercely independent women, years ahead of her time. She lived on her own until 2026, supported by frequent visits, household support, and of course 4-5 phone calls per day from local daughter Michele. This year, on January 1, she moved in with Michele and her husband Bob. She enjoyed her Jackson Township home of 62 years, particularly the wood burning fireplace, the perennial flower beds and the woods with all the wildlife she fed—birds, deer, and the many uninvited, hated squirrels.

Her unconditional and infinite love serves as a role model for her children and grandchildren. She loved her family fiercely and completely. Because of that, her children thrived despite the early loss of their father and being raised by a single parent without familial support.

She is survived by her son Joseph M. Jr. (Deb), daughters Maria (Ed) and Michele (Bob). Grandchildren are Jeshua (Jakele), Delaney (Ryan), Griffin, Sara (Richard), and Ted (April). Great grandchildren Jaylen, Julian, Jazlyn, Ryleigh, Adrienne, Chloe, Aubrey, and Eliana along with many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father (Charles Bolcheck), mother (Julia Bolcheck), husband (Joseph M. Zeglen Sr.), sisters (Ann, Mary, and Eleanor) and her special friend (Paul Jesko). We love you Mom and will miss you…make sure you call when you get there!

Joanne’s calling hours will be held at Paquelet & Arnold-Lynch Funeral Home in Massillon, Ohio, on February 19, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The following day, a funeral mass will take place at Divine Mercy Parish (St. Joseph), also in Massillon, at 11:00 AM. Following the services Joanne will be laid to rest at Calvary Cemetery.

If you would like to send flowers for the calling hours, please contact Cummings Florist in Massillon by their website or by calling (330) 832-9149 - 2944 Lincoln Way NW, Massillon, OH 44647