Pauline R. Calderone

Pauline Ruth Calderone (nee Roberts), age 94, passed away peacefully in her home on March 24, 2025.

Born in Akron, Ohio, where she lived for most of her life, Pauline spent her early childhood in Mogadore.

She graduated from Mogadore High School in 1948, where she was a majorette, played on the girls' basketball team, and served as a class officer. After high school, Pauline worked at Pflueger's and at Akron Brick and Mortar. Later in life, she served as a poll worker with the election board for more than ten years.

Pauline met Andrew Calderone at a graduation celebration at Shorty's Red Barn, and he became the love of her life. They married in 1950 and spent over six decades building a life together. Pauline selflessly sacrificed and held the household together while her husband went to college and earned several degrees and certifications, including a law degree.

To anyone who ever knew her, Pauline personified the role of wife and mother — it was her vocation and calling. Her commitment to her marriage has served as an inspiration for love and loyalty to generations of her family. She was the true source of strength for her family, putting them before all else and creating a loving, nurturing home for her four children, who were her passion.

Pauline loved gardening and could grow practically anything. A master gardener, she started her beloved tomato and other vegetable plants from seed in her home greenhouse during the winter months, transplanted them into her garden, and harvested rows of vegetables in the summer that fed her family year-round. Similarly, she tended to hundreds of flowers that bloomed at her home.

Pauline was an even better cook. Her kitchen was the heart of her home, where her children and grandchildren always found a dish of spaghetti or a slice of rhubarb pie waiting. She relished teaching her grandchildren and great grandchildren how to cook.

After her children were grown, Pauline found new interests and hobbies that kept her young. She taught water aerobics at the Tallmadge YWCA for more than fifteen years. She loved taking bus trips with "the girls" from the class and traveling with her sisters.

Pauline is now reunited with her beloved husband of 63 years, Andrew, who preceded her in death in 2014. She is survived by her children, Mary Ruth Schifano (Jack), James Andrew Calderone (Karen), Thomas Edward Calderone (Judy) and Kenneth Andrew Calderone (Michele). Pauline is also survived by 11 grandchildren, Lisa, Amelia, Kelly, Andy, Becky, Dan, Tom, Alex, Megan, Elizabeth, and Abbey; and by 13 great-grandchildren. Pauline joins in heaven her parents, Paul and Georgia; her siblings, Pat, Freda, Don, Virginia and Carolyn; and her daughter-in-law Rosemary.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 7:00 pm on Monday March 31, 2025 at Hopkins-Lawver Funeral Home, 547 Canton Road, Akron, Ohio 44312. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday April 1, 11:00 a.m., at St. Matthews Church, 2603 Benton Ave, Akron, Ohio 44312, with Father Mike Williamson presiding. Procession will leave the funeral home at 10:40 a.m. for the church. Burial will follow at Hillside Memorial Park. The family suggests memorials to Crossroads Hospice, 3743 Boettler Oaks Dr., Suite E Uniontown, OH 44685.