Jeanne Marie Serra Freitag, passed away at age 80, on Monday, May 25, 2026. Jeanne was born January 26, 1946, in Canton. She graduated from Lehman High in 1964, and then from Kent State University with a B.S. in Elementary Education; she also did post graduate studies at Ashland University. Jeanne taught in Canton Local School District for 33 years.

Jeanne proudly served her community as a volunteer with the Stark Library Foundation, Friends of the Stark County Library, Democratic Women’s Club, Federated Democratic Women of Ohio, Arts in Stark, Afternoon Garden Club, Canton Garden Center, Garden Club of Ohio, Canton Museum of Art, Canton Fine Arts, Christkindl Markt, Canton Mayor’s Literacy Commission, Organized the first “One Book One Community” in Stark County, Canton Jaycee Women, Stark County Board of Elections, Stark County School’s Computer Information Management System (CIMS), Canton Women’s Club, Canton Questers Club and Ohio Questers.

Jeanne received many awards and recognitions, including: Martha Holden Jennings Scholar, Kappa Delta Pi (National Honor Society for Educators), Community Excellence Recipient by Canton Rotary, The Junior League of Stark County 2024 Woman of the Year, Garden Club of Ohio Honorary Life Member.

In her spare time she loved golfing, bowling, antiquing (especially schoolbooks), acquiring original art, and flower arranging. Jeanne will be missed by all who knew her. She was smart, caring, respectful, generous, funny and just the most enjoyable person to be with. She was always thinking of others. A doctor told her husband that her last words before being sedated were: “Tell Dave I love him, we had a great life together.”

Jeanne was preceded in death by her parents James V. and Mary (Ferruccio) Serra. She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of nearly 47 years David F. Freitag II, her brother James V. Serra II, her brother and sister-in-law Eric and Jennie (Robison) Freitag and many favorite nieces and nephews.

Private services for the immediate family will be held at the Rossi Family Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to the Stark Library Foundation, or an organization of your choice. Jeanne’s favorite Bible verses were Isaiah 41:10 and Matthew 25:23 “Well done, good and faithful servant, you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things.”

ROSSI (330) 492-5830

www.rossifuneralhomeinc.com