Jo Marie Smith Obituary

Jo Ann Marie Smith (Alexander) was born on August 13th, 1946. She grew up in Canton, Ohio in an Italian family including her parents and her siblings (2 brothers and 2 sisters) along with a large extended family.
Jo Ann enjoyed many things. She loved to cook and bake for her family and friends. Mentioning a favorite food or baked good in conversation would often result in receiving that dish as a gift shortly thereafter. She even made homemade dog and cat treats for her daughter's pets, earning her the nickname "Granny Snacks." Jo Ann loved to sew and made many items for people throughout her life, including clothing, blankets, hats, quilts, and even clothing for dogs. Many of the blankets and hats she made were donated to those in need. She also had a passion for gardening, planting far more vegetables every spring than she could eat. When asked why, she explained that she felt the need to provide extra produce to friends and family who did not have a garden. Jo Ann enjoyed the sport of soccer; when she wasn't watching one of her three grandchildren play, she was watching one of many matches she recorded on TV. Additionally, Jo Ann loved to travel. She took numerous trips to Europe and the Caribbean, visiting many countries, and traveled all over the U.S., including her final trip to Alaska with her daughter and son-in-law.
Jo Ann was an active person who loved visiting friends and family, going to the gym, and making frequent trips to her favorite crafting stores. She was lively and vibrant, touching everyone she met. Jo Ann was caring and inclusive, considering all her friends as close as family. She was quick to offer help whenever there was a hint of need and generous with her time, attention, and love. She will be deeply missed.
Jo Ann was preceded in death by her husband of 36 years, William E. Smith; her sister, Rosemary Paschen; her sister-in-law, Carolyn Alexander; and her parents, Joseph and Ann Alexander. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Tiffany and Benjamin Osborne; her grandchildren, Iain, Aiden, and Kristiana; her brothers, Ron and Carl Alexander (Cynthia); her sister, Annette Rebellino (Charles); many nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, a great-grandniece, five grandcats, and one granddog. May she rest in peace.
A service will be held at St. Paul's Church in North Canton on June 6th, 2025, at 10am. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to one of the following charities:
The Kenmore Free Store c/o Immaculate Conception Church 2101 17th St. SW, Akron, Ohio. Twenty9 Lives Inc. (cat rescue) Venmo: @twenty9lives