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CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Irene Marie Sawayda, 90, of Cortland, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, in Clearwater, Florida.
She was born May 21, 1935, in Williamsfield, the ninth of 14 children and daughter of the late Mary Pauline Kitco and Stephen Frank Panak, who both immigrated as children from Slovakia.
Irene graduated in 1953 from Kinsman High School, where she played softball and was a member of the band. After graduation, Irene worked at Sun Finance in Warren, where she met her future husband.
On Aug. 18, 1956, she married John Paul Sawayda Jr. and worked as a payroll clerk at the American Welding and Manufacturing Co. in Warren.
Irene was a woman of "a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." 1
Peter 3:4. She inspired many with her varied interests, including family genealogy, preparing special meals for her family that continued traditional heritage, traveling the world, keeping active and painting.
Her surviving siblings include older brother, Frank Panak, and younger sisters, Nancy Kwallek, Rosalie Weischedel and Patricia Horning.
Other survivors include three sons, David J. (Judith) Sawayda of San Angelo, Texas, John P. Sawayda III of Kansas City, Missouri, and Keith S. (Nancy) Sawayda of Clearwater, Florida; five grandchildren, Jennifer (Laurence) Jackson, Sarah (Andrew) Montano, Rachel (Brian) Copeland and Stephen (Amy) and Daniel Sawayda; three great-granddaughters, Amelia Montano, Allison Montano and Elizabeth Jackson; and two great-grandsons, Laurence Jackson V and Brian Copeland III.
Irene was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 63 years, John; her older siblings, Joseph Panak, Ann Kozak, Agnes Slywczak, Matthew Panak, Philip Panak, Albert Panak and Wendel Panak; her younger siblings, Joan Sawayda and Helen Flannery; and a grandson, David J. Sawayda Jr.
Burial took place in All Souls Cemetery.
In Irene's memory, consider donating in her name to St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish-St.
James Church, 2582 Burton St. NE, Warren; or to the American Cancer Society at https://donate.cancer.org.
Caring and professional services were entrusted to the Peter Rossi & Son Memorial
Chapel, 1884 North Road NE, Warren, OH 44483. Family and friends may visit www.peterrossiandsonfh.com to view this obituary and send condolences to the Sawayda family.
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