Holly Beth Paskiet

Holly Beth (Starr) Paskiet, age 82, passed away in Canal Fulton, Ohio on October 29, 2025 following a quiet battle with breast cancer. She was born on January 16, 1943 in Niles, Michigan; the rambunctious and fiercely loyal middle daughter of Paul and Dorothy (Gross) Starr. The Starrs lived in Buchanan, Michigan, near grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins which gave Holly and sisters Judy O'Neill and Kathy Sadler the opportunity for many wonderful family experiences. Affection defined the Starr household, as did their faith. Always a tomboy, Holly spent her days digging up nightcrawlers, gigging frogs or working alongside her beloved Daddy in the basement or garage. Household chores and other boring pursuits like reading were at the bottom of her to-do list!
Holly's bubbly personality drew many friends-she was sweet and loved to laugh. Popular at school, she approached Buchanan High with great anticipation. Not long into her freshman year, the twinkle in her eye caught the attention of junior Richard Paskiet, a shy farm boy. The trajectory of their lives was set at the tender ages of 14 and 16; they were inseparable going forward. As soon as she was able, Holly took a job at the Buchanan Sweet Shop to save money for their wedding and the two were married on May 12, 1962. Holly captivated all the Paskiets; Ma and Pap immediately embraced her as another daughter. Sister-in-law Geri Hodges, enjoyed the camaraderie of another female around the house and brothers-in law Larry, Denny and Douglas were enamored with Holly's sense of fun and adventure. The boys particularly looked forward to her driving them around to surprise couples who were "parking" after dark!
The young couple established their home near Akron, Ohio, embracing the pleasures of a simple life. It wasn't long before their family grew as they welcomed daughters Amy (Rick) Noble and Kimberly (John) Kusmits and son Mark (Amy) Paskiet. Holly and Richard instilled traditional values and taught their kids the honor associated with a strong work ethic. Sunday dinners at a Barberton chicken place were a staple and summer vacations to Kentucky Lake were highly anticipated.
Holly was intentional with her support of Richard's long-time career as a machinist at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, then later at Richard Paskiet Machinists and Northfield Forming. The businesses they owned together were so successful, they quickly outgrew the space available in their little garage. As a result, Holly and Richard purchased two acres of wooded property in a peaceful and secluded setting on a hilltop in Clinton, Ohio. The whole family spent weekends clearing the lots as Holly set about finding suitable plans for a larger house. She had particular ideas in mind and eventually found a young architect who tweaked the details to her liking. Their dream home was ready in the fall of 1976.
As the kids left the nest, Holly and Richard enjoyed traveling in their motor home (especially to look at fall leaves), collecting classic cars and trucks and visiting festivals and museums that highlighted the craftmanship of times past. Nothing beat the tomfoolery and ridiculous conversations with Mom on annual weekend shopping trips for Amy and Kim (and later for all the granddaughters)! Mark and Mom shared precious time singing along with her player piano-Mark also loved sharing her homemade spaghetti sauce! Through it all, Holly's devotion to Richard took priority as she spent countless hours by his side at the shop-handling the office details in between watching "The Young and the Restless" after lunch and of course naps after supper.
Holly's zest for life made her a favorite of nephews and nieces Sean O'Neill, Terry O'Neill, Tom O'Neill, Roger Speckine, Kelley (Kerr) Roxey, Shellie (Paskiet) Posey, Suzie (Speckine) Blakeley, Shari (Paskiet) Ingraham, Jason Kerr, Michael Paskiet, Troy Paskiet and David Paskiet. Lipstick prints on their cheeks left tangible reminders of her cherished visits!
The family got bigger with the arrival of Holly's grandchildren Sarah Noble, Jeffrey (Morgan) Kusmits, Jaclyn (Matthew) Hines, Bethany (Jacob) Zook, Matthew (Natalie) Noble, and Joshua (Tessa) Kusmits. She was present at the hospital for the birth of each grandchild and personally helped choose the outfit the babies wore when they came home. Stepgrandchildren Shelby (Brian) Patton and Robert Cutright later rounded out this generation. Grandma gave her grandkids fond childhood memories of playing with her typewriter, kaleidoscope and the game Operation, Saturday lunches, Easter egg hunts and ham and baked beans. Holly was even more appreciated by the grandkids as they grew to adulthood-Grandma was keenly aware of the details in their lives and never missed milestones like graduations, bridal and baby showers and weddings. She couldn't wait to catch up on all the latest news!
A new tradition of waiting at the hospital (including sleeping in lobbies through the night when necessary) with Amy and Kim took hold for the birth of the next generation of babies. Even as her health was failing, Holly's priority was to celebrate onsite and be one of the first to hold the new little ones when they arrived. Great-grandchildren Parker Hines, Walter Hines, Fletcher Hines, Archer Kusmits, Knox Kusmits, Abigail Hines, Oliver Zook, Delilah Kusmits, Wheeler Kusmits, Lydia Noble, Gwendolyn Zook and Andrew Patton were her treasures.
Holly was preceded in death by her parents Paul and Dorothy Starr, parents-in-law John and Helen Paskiet, brothers-in-law Arvil Hodges, Larry Paskiet and Michael O'Neill and granddaughter Faith Noble.
Funeral Services will be held SATURDAY, November 8, 2025, 11:00am at Chapel of the Cross Global Methodist Church, 14411 Orrville St. NW, North Lawrence with burial at Newmans Creek Cemetery. Calling Hours FRIDAY, November 7, 2025, 5:00pm to 7:00pm at the Swigart-Easterling Funeral Home, 624 Cherry St. E. (Rt. 93) Canal Fulton.
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