Frances Ann Schiavone

Frances Ann Schiavone (nee Mandala), 95, passed away on January 22, 2026, in Mentor, Ohio. Frances was born on August 14, 1930, in Akron Ohio to the late Anna and John Mandala. She is preceded in death by her husband, Joseph A. Schiavone, her siblings, Catherine Gullia, Anthony V. Mandala and Eleanor Iacobelli. Frances is survived by her children Anne (Timothy) Carnahan, Patrick Schiavone, Tracy (Frederick) Ondarza; her sister-in-law Jane (John Ertle) Schiavone; her grandchildren Christian (Kristin) Ondarza, Alexander (Jacqueline)Ondarza, and Isaac Schiavone; and her great grandson Kai Ondarza.

Frances particularly loved her family, and her many friends. Interacting with them was one of her favorite activities. When she had grandchildren, she was completely consumed by them. She and Joseph asked Tracy for her children. She said she was very experienced and had some great ideas for improvements. Even without improvements, she loved her family unconditionally.

Frances' life was primarily devoted to service, whether it was to family, friends, church or to community. She started very young. Her early teens were spent against the backdrop of WWII. Labor was scarce. At thirteen she began working Saturdays at her father's store. She graduated from North High School, received her Bachelor's degree from Kent State University and began teaching. Once she married and her children were in school, Frances focused on volunteering with a number of organizations including Witan, Cub Scouts den mother, PTA, Akron Art Institute, Summit County Juvenile Court, Children's Concert Society, Christ Child of Akron, Akron Symphony Women's Guild, and her parish, St. Eugene.

There was nothing Frances enjoyed more than a good challenge whether it was a New York Times crossword puzzle, a spectacularly difficult recipe, rebuilding an old cuckoo clock or wallpapering a room that needed 5 rolls of wallpaper with 4 rolls just to see if she could do it. She would flash a dazzling smile and be off on to the next task.

Her expectations were incredibly high for the people she loved. Her expectations were as high as the hopes and dreams that she had for them. She gave them the world as she saw it-a God given, energetic, mind-boggling, grammatically correct arena filled with wonder, joy and laughter.

We celebrate Frances Schiavone, a life well lived.

Private Services will be held. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in Frances' memory to the Christ Child Society of Akron P. O.  BOX 13411, Akron, Ohio 44334 or to the Hospice of the Western Reserve 17876 St. Clair Ave. Cleveland, OH 44110-2602.