Irene I. Ward

Irene I. Ward (69.75 years young), of Norton (previously Bath/Akron and Canton), Ohio, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on December 21, 2025. Her passing came after a courageous 6-year fight with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), a rare neurological condition in the Parkinson’s family. Irene was born March 16,1956, in Canton, Ohio; daughter of the late Samuel M. and Mary Constance (Connie) Ward.

Irene valued all forms of learning; including formal education and job-specific training programs, such as apprenticeships for the construction trades. She graduated from McKinley High School in 1974, then earning both her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration (major finance), cum laude, in 1988, and Master of Education in 2004 from Kent State University. She completed the Adult Vocational Services course of Orientation to Nontraditional Occupations for Women (ONOW) in 1990. In 1996, she completed the 4-year Electrical Apprenticeship program becoming a qualified journeyperson Electrician, per the Ohio State Apprenticeship Council, and was sponsored by the Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC), Inc. She continued to maintain her Electrical Contractors License and Fire Alarm Certification – State of Ohio.

Electricity was more than just her career; it was a passion. She worked as an electrical apprentice at R.B. Thomas Electric; for R. J. Martin Electrical Contracting, Inc. as journeyman electrician and training supervisor/safety coordinator. She also taught several evening electrical apprenticeship classes as an Electrical Instructor with Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC), Inc. In 2000, she became the Electrical Trades/Industrial Electricity Instructor at Cuyahoga Valley Career Center (Brecksville) from which she retired after 19 years.

When she wasn’t working Irene enjoyed spending time with family and friends, watching the Indians/Guardians, being outdoors, doing hands on projects for family/ friends, traveling, attending the theater, playing Pokémon Go and Summon Dragon, creating PVC decorations, golfing, bowling, playing cards and spending time at Sunset Beach.

On June 27, 1992, she married her spouse Kathy Piazza, who survives her. She is also survived by son/daughter-in-law Erik and Kady Ward and grandson Andrew Ward. Siblings include Sharon L Potter, Carmen (Ward) Mayle, Samuel Ward Jr., Robert & Angie Ward, Jerry Ward; sister in-law Sandy (Piazza) Conley. Family and friends meant everything to her and she was blessed to share her life with the above immediate family and aunt Pam Ward, nieces/nephews Erica & Dave Anderson, Jerry Jr. & Stephanie Ward, John Ward, Maci-Anne Ward, Brantley Ward, Robert & Nicole Piazza, Bethanie Conley, Ashlee Conley & Marshall Peckis; great nieces/nephews Lindsey & Bryan Hollinger, Kaitlyn Anderson, Benjamin Piazza, Carter Piazza, Liam Ward, Liam Peckis, and Julianna Conley; great-great nieces/nephews Harper Hollinger, Halee Hollinger, Brayden Hollinger; as well as numerous cousins and friends inclusive of lifelong friends Vesta Zinslen and Suzy Stebler, and caregiver Saleema Henderson-Spragling.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by in-laws Benjamin Piazza and Catherine (Cunningham) Piazza; brothers-in-law James Conley and Michael Mayle; sister-in-law Diane (Piazza) Renwick; and nephews Samuel Jason Ward and Samuel Ward III.

In keeping with her inquisitive nature, she selflessly chose to donate her body to the Cleveland Clinic Body Donation Program to further the advancement of medicine.

Advice from Irene: “All we can do is try”.

A celebration of Irene’s life will be held at the Norton Community Center (Shirley L. McGuire Community Center) 4060 Columbia Woods Drive, Norton, Ohio, 44203 on Saturday, January 10, 2026 from 2pm to 5pm. Pastor Williams will share a special prayer at 2:30pm. Those joining us are encouraged but not required to wear Indians/Guardians apparel. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor her memory by a charitable contribution are encouraged to do so to any of these organizations: Mission MSA (missionmsa.org Donate Now), Parkinson’s Foundation (https://www.parkinson.org, Donate), Crossroads Hospice (https://www.crossroadshospice.com/locations/ohio/ akron-area/, More, Donate), or a charitable cause of the donor’s choice in Irene’s name.

Condolences may be sent to: Karlo-Libby Funeral Home, and the website for obituaries is karlofh.com.