Zella Mae (Brown) Morelli, age 88, of Canton, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 22, 2025, at Park Village Assisted Living Facility in New Philadelphia, Ohio. Zella was born on November 10, 1936, in Beallsville, Ohio, to the late Elsie Mae (Book) Brown and the late Emory E. Brown.

Zella was born in the first-floor bedroom of her grandparents' farmhouse located in the beautiful Appalachian Plateau where she spent her early childhood. Even after Zella and her family moved to Canton to find more permanent work, Zella would still spend her summers there with her Irish-German grandparents, Pearl and Charles, where she would help them with their farm. A true farm girl at heart, Zella Mae (as she was known in Beallsville) enjoyed tending to the chickens, catching toads, and caring for the cows, even when she accidentally found herself in a sticky situation with one of the bulls!

A 1954 graduate of Canton McKinley High School, Zella was known for having "a sparkling smile and a friendly way". She enjoyed her academic studies, excelling in the topic of English. Zella was good with vocabulary, spelling, and writing, skills that remained with her throughout her life.

Zella met the love of her life in the spring of 1954. Frank, an Air Force veteran and mechanic, fell in love the moment he saw Zella when she took her car for repairs at a local shop. He insisted she go on a date with her. Seeing him covered in car oil and grease, she was hesitant, but said yes. On their third date, he was insistent that they get married, but she refused. On their ninth date, she finally accepted his request for proposal. Concerned her parents wouldn't approve of her marrying outside of her family's religion and culture, Zella eloped with Frank to New Castle, Pennsylvania, where they were married on April 4, 1959. Zella, who was originally a member of the Church of Christ, converted to Catholicism in support of Frank, Frank's family, and their Italian heritage.

In 1960, Zella became a mother to Amy, and in 1964, became a mother to Paul. She was a strict but loving mother who always wanted the best for her children. As her children grew up, she became known as "Mom Morelli" throughout the neighborhood and would feed anyone who would visit her home, including many of the neighborhood kids. It was this open heart of hers that helped her to eventually gain a son-in-law, Robert, who was one of those neighborhood kids who ended up falling in love with her daughter, Amy.

Zella first became a "Nanna" in 1981, and from that moment, was an impeccable grandmother. She always made sure her grandchildren felt loved and had a happy childhood during those "quintessential summers" grandchildren get to spend with their grandparents. Zella ensured that her grandchildren were cared for and felt safe at all times in her presence; in return, her grandchildren adored her — and still do to this day. Zella had a knack for cooking, and was known for her recipes, whether they were her own or those passed down from various ancestors, such as homemade pizzelles, pigs in a blanket, Italian wedding soup, lasagna, pasta fagioli, unsweetened tea, and so much more.

Zella's legacy lives on: Zella is survived by her daughter, Amy C. Morelli-Menarcheck (Robert), and her son, Paul J. Morelli (April); her four grandchildren, Robert F. Menarcheck (Angie), Heather M. Hughes (Tad), Zachary P. Morelli, and Jacob J. Morelli; her four great-granddaughters, Alexandria Menarcheck, Penelope Rose Menarcheck, Lilliana Mae Menarcheck, and Dominique Marie Menarcheck; her nephew, Mark Casciato; and her nieces, Joan Streck (Rick), JeanAnn Hoover (James), Linda Fidelholtz (Mike), and Lisa Lowry.

In addition to her parents, Zella was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Dominic Morelli, who passed away in April 2012 and with whom she shared over 53 years of marriage. Zella is also preceded in death by her brother and only sibling, Walter Glenn Brown, who passed away in November 2022. Zella is also preceded in death by her sister-in-law, Luann Fultz, who passed away in November 2020, her niece Lori Wiggins, who passed away in August 2010, and her beloved cousin and childhood best friend, Grace Saffield (Shriver) Mobley, who passed away in January 2023.

Family and friends will be received on Wednesday, July 9, 2025 from 11:30 to 1 p.m. at the Rossi Family Funeral Home in Canton. Funeral services will begin in the funeral home at 1 p.m., with Rev. Fr. Benson Okpara officiating. Following the service, Zella will be taken to her final resting place at Calvary Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest alongside her husband, Frank.

A special thank you to Zella's daughter, Amy, for being Zella's caretaker for over the past decade.

The family also would like to thank every nurse, healthcare worker, staff member, and employee at Park Village Health Care Center, Southside New Philadelphia Campus, who cared for, supported, and loved Zella. Your endless dedication to Zella's well being over the past several years was, and is, immensely appreciated by all of us and will never be forgotten.

ROSSI (330) 492-5830

www.rossifuneralhomeinc.com