Jane Moria Gibbons Schirack

Jane Moria
Gibbons Schirack
86, of Canton, passed away on Thursday, March 21, of Alzheimer's disease at St. Joseph Care Center. Jane was one of four daughters born in Canton, Ohio, to Edward Thomas Gibbons and Grace Ann Vogel. She attended St. Peter's Elementary School, Mt. Marie Academy, and St. Mary-of-the-Woods College. Jane graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and attended Western Reserve training to become a Medical Technologist. She worked at Mercy Hospital in Canton until she married Dr. Frank Schirack on Sept. 2, 1950. Jane's life was dedicated to family, friends, and the community. Especially, she found leisure time with family and friends the place where her love and support always flourished. An important part of that special time included many years at the family's Atwood Lake cottage, fondly referred to as the 'Searack.' She watched children and grandchildren sail, swim, and ski there and instilled a love of the outdoors in all of them. She was an adamant fan of Notre Dame football and basketball and passed that enthusiasm along as well. For many years, she and Frank, along with their cronies, cruised down to Canton South to watch Red Ash's Wildcats play basketball. While raising her busy family of six children, Jane became a volunteer and activist dedicated to her community. Her leadership abilities and service reflect a lifetime of commitment. Jane served as Vice-President of the Canton area Junior League and was recognized as Woman of the Year in 1972. She was a foreman for the Stark County grand Jury, President of the Stark County Medical Auxiliary, President of the Stark County Historical Auxiliary, President of the Catholic Community League, President and member of the Board of the American Red Cross Canton Chapter, first President of the Timken Mercy Service League, President of the Museum Guild of the Canton Art Institute, and President of the St. Michael's Guild. She was a member of the Board of the United Way and was given the United Way Gold Key Award in 1979. Jane was Chairman of the Walsh University Fund Drive and in 1995 the university honored her dedication with an honorary doctor of human services degree for her membership on the Board, her leadership as the founding president of the Women's Committee, and lifetime membership on the President's Advisory Board. She was president of the Board of Trustee of St. Joseph Care Center's Board (formerly St. Joseph's Hospice). She was on the Board of the Catholic Youth Council, Right to Life, and Community Planning of Canton Welfare Federation and Salvation Army. Jane's ongoing dedication to children is reflected in a seven-year service as Girl Scout Leader, Chair of the Steering Committee for Allen Community Day Care Center, and member of the Central Catholic Advisory Board and Scholarship Committee. In 1994, the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce honored Jane with their Award of Merit. The award is presented to an individual for 'voluntary meritorious and sustained service to the region.' Then in 1997 her Alma Mater, St. Mary's-of-the-Woods, acknowledged her outstanding dedication to civic, religious, and educational service with the Frances Murphy Rumely award. In 2003, the YWCA of Canton inducted her into Stark County Women's Hall of Fame. She was especially selected for the honor because she 'placed high value of serving those in [the] community with special needs: the poor, the hungry, the sick, the unfortunate, the elderly.' Jane was instrumental in the initial structure of the Stark Nutrition Project. In its nascent organization, there were four nutrition sites between downtown Canton and Massillon. The following year it became Stark Wayne Nutrition Project with the expansion into Wooster. Jane was Chair of the project at that time. Today, that project is known as Meals-on-Wheels of Stark and Wayne Counties. Jane was immensely proud of her family. Her husband, children, grandchildren, sisters, nieces, and nephew were always present in her life in some form or another, and her kindness, love, support, and caring spirit radiated outward to them.
Jane is survived by her husband of 62 years, Frank Schirack; her children, Karen Wurzel of Ajijic, Mexico, Dr. Edward Schirack of Canton, Denise Barry of Boston, Cynthia Samolczyk of Canton, Frank Schirack, Jr. of Massillon, and Shelle Suarez of Magnolia; daughters-in-law, Maureen Schirack of Canton and Becky Schirack of Massillon; sons-in-law, Kevin Barry of Boston, Mark Samolczyk of Canton, and Richard Suarez of Magnolia; grandchildren, Dr. Lindsay (Mike) Kahlenberg of Akron, Grace (Nick) Caley of Charleston, Ill., Maggie Schirack of Boise, Idaho, Kevin Barry, Jr. of Tampa, Kate Samolczyk of Canton, Emily Schirack of Akron, Colleen Barry of Boston, Richard Suarez, Jr. of Magnolia, Corrine Barry of Boston, Matthew Suarez of Magnolia, Alec Samolczyk of Canton, Michelle Barry of Boston, and Kalyn and Anna Schirack of Massillon; sisters, Ann Gibbons Seanor (George), Mary Gibbons, and Shelia Gibbons Farmer (Richard); nephew, George Seanor, Jr. (Pat) of North Canton; nieces, Pam Seanor Underwood (Jim) of Baltimore, Sue Seanor Roberts (Steve) of Louisville, Kristin Farmer Bair (Dave) of Alliance, and Jennifer Farmer Olsson (Mattias) of London, England.
Jane's family and friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial to celebrate her life at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Canton on Monday at 11 a.m. with Father Don King as celebrant and Father Robert W. Kaylor as concelebrant.. The family will receive friends two hours before at the church. Entombment will follow in the mausoleum at Calvary Cemetery. Williams Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. The family wishes to acknowledge the caring people at The Inn at Belden Village, Mercy Hospice, and St. Joseph Care Center. Memorial contributions can be made to: "Meals on Wheels of Stark and Wayne Counties Endowment Fund of Stark Community Foundation, 400 Market Avenue North, Canton, OH 44702 or to the 'Jane and Frank Schirack Scholarship Fund' c/o Walsh University, 2020 East Maple Street, North Canton, OH 44720. Those wishing to share a memory or their condolences may sign the online guestbook at dwilliamsfh.com.
'The greater was our gain, our loss the more.'
Williams Funeral Home
330-455-0387