Joan Marie (Casenhiser) Weist

Joan Marie (Casenhiser) Weist died peacefully with her family by her side on June 27, 2025. She was born in Akron, Ohio on November 20, 1937 to Richard W. and Martha M. (Domin) Casenhiser. She grew up with 5 younger brothers and graduated from St. Mary High School in 1955. She dated a boy from St. Vincent High School and eventually married Bill on the first day of summer in 1958. Early on she worked as a switchboard operator and due to the teacher shortage began her teaching career at St. Matthews Catholic School before she had even finished college. In 1975 she started working at Immaculate Heart of Mary School, first teaching, later as Director of Religious Education and finally as a PSR catechist, a volunteer position she held until the age of 80.
Her faith was an integral part of her life. In 1985, inspired by the Sisters she taught with, she became an associate member of the Sisters of Charity of St Augustine in Richfield and served for many years as Director of Associates.
She was a loving wife and a great mom. All her children are grateful for the fall hiking and summer camping trips that she planned so well, also the shared vacations to Sullivan's Island, S.C. all of which inspired a love of the natural world for three generations.
Her imagination and playful spirit served her well as a grandma, aka, Gram Cracker or G-ma Joanie. Her grandchildren were the center of her universe, and each was the recipient of her unconditional love, her boundless patience, the best backrubs ever, piano lessons, her tireless appetite for games and her ability to make a fun-filled day with just sidewalk chalk or a trip to Lion's Park. The only rule at Grandma's house was, "put the lids back on the markers."
Joan was much loved by so many and will always be an inspiration to us in her faith, her love of family and her positive attitude despite living the last 14 years with Parkinson's Disease.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband William "Bill" Weist and her brother Ed Casenhiser (Kathy).
She is survived by her children, William Weist (Laura), Tama Salvaggi (Darrell Ovak), Marta Weist (Jeff St.Clair), Greta Weist (Carl), her brothers Richard Casenhiser (Anne), James Casenhiser (Sally), Paul Casenhiser (Teri), Mark Casenhiser (Linda,) her grandchildren, Steven (Lara), James, Lyndsey, Will (Carli), Amanda, Adrian, Mari, Reznor (Faunus), Joshua, Gabe, Sol, Isaac, and Naomi, her great- grandchildren, Genavieve, Milena, and Adler, many nieces, nephews, and beloved friends.
Joan's family would like to extend sincere appreciation to the staff at Vitalia Senior Residences in Stow and to the Crossroads Hospice team.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, July 25, 11 am, with the family receiving friends for one hour prior, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church 1905 Portage Trail in Cuyahoga Falls.
Joan requested that everyone WEAR YOUR BRIGHTEST COLORS!
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Parkinson's Foundation (www.parkinson.org), Crossroads Hospice (www.crossroadshospice.org ) or Catholic Worker Akron (www.catholicworkerakron.org). (Anthony, FALLS, www.anthonyfh.com)