Annel Panigutti-Smith

She was born on July 19, 1963 in Cleveland, Ohio to her parents Richard and Mary Ann Smith. She was born into an Italian -Catholic home, of which she was always most proud. She was the oldest of four children, and her mothers best helper. Her father was a marine in Vietnam, and for a while it was just her and her mother. In 1972 her family moved to New Port Richey, Florida. She graduated from high school at Hudson High School in 1981. Her best high school memories involved her best friend Laura Embry, skipping school and riding around in cars singing songs on the top of their lungs. After graduation, her family, now complete with her baby brother, moved back to Ohio. A piece of her always remained in Florida on that beach. She was only ever whole when near the ocean.

After moving back to Cleveland, Ohio she started a lengthy work career engaged mostly in insurance as an adjustor. She spent years working, going toe to toe with the biggest lawyers. Although tiny in size, she was big in attitude and spunk and never backed down to anyone.

In 1986, she gave birth to her baby girl, Molly. She was meant to be a mother, so full of love for her daughter. Although she faced so many challenges in her life, she maintained a happy home for her, and loved her to the moon. Molly's childhood was filled with dance parties, listening to the Counting Crows, Rod Steward, REM, country hits, and oldies. Molly never went to bed without hearing "angels on your pillows." It was never a home that was afraid to say "I love you" a hundred times a day.

For a few years, in 1999-2001 she took a break from insurance and worked her most favorite job as a career woman, and most rewarding, which was working for the Freedom House, helping women achieve and maintain sobriety. When the Freedom House closed she was heartbroken, but always stayed involved in the community helping others when she could.

Annel was winsome, enchanting, full of so much life, laughter, and often surprises. She never let anything get her down and fought her way through any challenges that came her way. No one loved her family more. She was the best cook, often giving Martha Stewart a run for her money with homemaking skills. You could hardly set a glass down without Annel picking it up to clean it.

In 2018, she moved to Lawrenceburg, KY to help her daughter. She was able to help and take a front seat in raising the love of her life, her grandson Maximus Wayne. She spent the last six years of her life helping her daughter, son in law and grandsons as a caregiver, and was a vital part of their family. She loved so big and bragged about her grandchildren every chance she got. She also took on some bonus grandchildren (Natalie and Kaylin) whom she loved.

She leaves behind so many loved ones and friends who she made feel special in her own little ways. Her daughter Molly (Mark) Alexander, grandsons Maximus and Mason Alexander. Her sister Rhonda Smith of Cleveland, Oh, brother Richard (Lisa) Smith, Aunt Lucile (Keith) Fenske, Uncle Herman (Jane) Panigutti, many aunts on her dad's side, and many, many cousins. She loved her nieces and nephews like her own children, Krystle (Zach) McMillen, Alexis (Andrew) Smith-Moore, Richard Smith, and Victoria Hamrick, and her newest pride and joy her great niece Margot Lucy Moore. Special mention to her best friends that she leaves behind for now, Megan Doyle and Laura Embry.

Anyone that knew her and loved her most, called her Nonie.

She joins her mother Mary Ann Smith, father Richard Smith, and brother Sandy Smith in heaven.

She often said "When I die, don't lie about me and say I was the light of the room because I wasn't" But she really and truly was.

She wanted it stated on her memory : "Some of it's magic, and some of it's tragic, but I had a good life all the way."

"and somehow, If it takes all the future, We'll live through the past, If the phone doesn't ring, it's me"

Please join us in a visitation and celebration of life on June 28th from 3 pm - 7 pm, with a service at 7 pm at Craciun Funeral Home 14925 Bagley Rd. Middleburg Heights OH 44130.

Please wear sparkles, or pink, or whatever makes your heart sing. She would have wanted it.

Angels on your pillows, my sweet angel Annel. - Your Gnocchi