Obituary of Donna C. Pivarski

 On June 18, 2010, we lost a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister, sister-in-law, daughter and friend.  Donna demonstrated determination, courage, dignity and faith during her battle with pancreatic cancer. Donna was born August 23, 1947, in Cleveland, Ohio.  As a baby she (and her older twin sister, Kathy) were adopted by Steve and Isabelle Handlovics.  She graduated Canton Central Catholic H. S. in 1965.  On August 19, 1967, she married her high school/college sweetheart, Jim Pivarski.  First son, Jim, was born in 1968 followed by son, Dan, in 1972.  Donna entered the work force right out of high school and spent most of her career in the automotive/trucking business as an office manager and full-charge bookkeeper. Donna was a great source of strength to her family which she loved very much, especially her four grandsons, Mitchell, Mason, Gavin and Griffin.  Donna also loved traveling, her second home in North Carolina, animals, doing crafts and helping other people.  Her passion for travel led her to all 50 states and six continents.  She especially loved the U.S. National Parks, the wild game parks of Kenya and Tanzania and the unique wildlife of the Galapagos Islands.  Her dream vacation was to Australia and New Zealand in 2003. Donna was a very loving and caring person with a kind spirit.  Other qualities she possessed were patience, common sense, intelligence, a keen power of observation and a great sense of humor, all coupled with a dynamite personality.  She was a sweet, beautiful human being.  Donna also had the gift of being able to see the good qualities in a person while being able to understand and forgive the not so good qualities.  Nobody could have asked for a better life partner, and most people commented on what a great team Donna and Jim made. Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Steve and Belle Handlovics.  Those blessed to have known her and who mourn her loss include her loving husband of 42 years, James D. Pivarski, Jr. of Munroe Falls; Sons, Jim (Amy) and Dan (Tricia, the daughter she never had) both of Cuyahoga Falls; Grandsons Mitchell, Mason, Gavin and Griffin; Sister, Kathy Barnett (Bob) of Brecksville; Brother, John Yenyo (Adeline) of Cleveland; Birth Mother, Marie Yenyo Blasee of Independence; Special friends, Janice Pivarski, Patty Woodall, Mary Miller and Steve Kochan; and many other relatives and friends in Ohio and around the country. Cremation has taken place.  The family will receive friends at the Redmon Funeral Home Wednesday, June 23, 2010 from 2 to 4 & 6 to 8 PM.  Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted 11 AM Thursday, June 24, 2010 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Stow, Father Paul Rosing Celebrant.  Interment will occur at a later date.  Luncheon will be served in the church hall immediately following Mass.  Mrs. Pivarski's video tribute may be seen here.