Irene Marie (Panak) Sawayda

Clearwater, Florida - Irene Marie Sawayda, (90), a resident of Cortland, Ohio, passed away Wednesday, December 17, 2025 in Clearwater, Florida.

She was born on May 21,1935, in Williamsfield, Ohio, the ninth of fourteen children of the late Mary Pauline (Kitco) and Stephen Frank Panak, both of whom 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, Ohio. It was here that she met her future husband.

On August 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 Ill 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, Elizabeth Jackson, and two great grandsons, Laurence Jackson V and Brian Copeland III.

Irene is preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 63 years John, by her older siblings Joseph Panak, Ann Kozak, Agnes Slywczak, Matthew Panak, Philip Panak, Albert Panak, Wendel Panak, younger siblings Joan Sawayda and Helen Flannery, and a grandson David J. Sawayda Jr.

Caring and professional services are entrusted to the Peter Rossi & Son Memorial Chapel, 1884 North Rd. NE, Warren, Ohio, 44483.

Burial took place at 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, Ohio or to the American Cancer Society at https://donate.cancer.org.

Family and friends may visit www.peterrossiandsonfh.com to view this obituary and send condolences to the Sawayda family.

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