Olive Jean "Jo" Lehtonen

Olive Jean "Jo" Lehtonen, recently of Saybrook, Ohio, died on Good Friday, March 29, 2024 at the age of 99, going to her eternal home in time for the joy of Easter. Jo was born on March 14,1925, in Sault Sainte Marie, MI to the late Alexander and Myrtle Smith, the tenth of sixteen children. Jo was known for her kindness, generosity of spirit, her involvement at St. Peter Episcopal Church, and her love for her family, which included just about everyone she met. She used her skills in cooking and baking throughout her career and beyond, including working on the Great
Lakes freighters where she met her late husband. She retired from Central Kitchen at Ashtabula Area City Schools and Sheldon Calvary Camp, but continued cooking and baking for family,
friends, and her church community until she was 93. Jo was preceded in death by her husband Robert W. Lehtonen, parents Sandy and Myrtle, all but one sibling, her beloved daughters Candy A. Myllymaki and Patricia L. Hazeltine, and numerous nieces and nephews. She is survived by her youngest sister, Audrey Savoie of Michigan; grandchildren Rachel (David) Dye, Renee (Ian) Pitts all of Cape Coral, Florida; Sara (Steve) Nesbitt of Erie, PA; Ryan Lehtonen of Saybrook, OH; and Martha Hazeltine of Ashtabula, OH. She is further survived by her great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her beloved sons-in-law, Craig Myllymaki of Cape Coral FL, and Robert T. Hazeltine of Ashtabula OH. Her son Michael R. of Saybrook also survives her.
The family will hold a private internment. Following, a memorial service will be held at St. Peter Episcopal Church on Saturday, May 4 at 11:00 am, with a visiting hour preceding and a lunch
following. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Peter Episcopal Church or Hospice of the Western Reserve.
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