Ruthann "Rudi" Elizabeth Demechko

Rudi was a stellar softball pitcher who received a full-paid scholarship to play Division I softball at Youngstown State University (YSU). She was awarded Most Valuable Player her senior year, since she was not only an elite pitcher, but also excelled at hitting, second base, shortstop, and outfield. As a pitcher, Rudi would often say if you give me a target, I will hit it…and she did, with everything she undertook in her life.

Rudi graduated with an Associate degree in Executive Secretarial Science from YSU and later received a Bachelor of Science degree from Robert Morris University in Management of Information Systems. She most recently worked for the University of Akron as an I.T. System Data Analyst.

Rudi and her husband Mark met at YSU in October, 1985. Since that day, they have been together for 41 years and have been married for 35 years. Rudi and Mark followed their careers to Georgia, Columbus, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Akron. They are parishioners of Guardian Angels Catholic Church in Copley, Ohio.

Rudi was laid back and cherished every moment, while her infectious crooked smile and boundless kindness made everyone she met feel like family. Rudi enjoyed playing softball, doing crossfit, hiking in nature, walking barefoot in streams, and rock hounding in lakes. Rudi’s greatest joy is her three daughters (Deanna, Sydney, and Reggi), which she so proudly raised with Mark. She especially loved being with her family at an oceanside beach, swimming, shelling, and watching the sunset. Together they shared a life filled with faith, love, laughter, and unforgettable memories.

Over the past two years, Rudi used her athleticism and determination to fight metastatic breast cancer with unwavering faith, remarkable courage, and an enduring positive spirit. Those who loved Rudi can take comfort knowing that God welcomed another angel into Heaven.

Rudi is survived by her devoted husband, Mark Demechko; her three loving daughters, Deanna Singer (husband Ryan), Sydney Demechko (fiancé Chris) and Reggi Demechko (partner Ben); her beloved mother, Carole Pleskovic; her sister Laura (John) Thomas, sister Donna Bard, brother Bruce Pleskovic, sister Sandy (Jason) Lane, brother Matt Pleskovic and many extended family members and dear friends. Rudi is preceded in death by her father, Joseph Pleskovic and sister-in-law, Mel Pleskovic.

Visitation will be held on Friday, October 9th, 2026, from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at Rose Hill Funeral Home 3653 W Market Street, Akron, OH. A memorial service followed by a luncheon will be held at Rose Hill Funeral Home to celebrate Rudi’s life on Saturday, October 10th, at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to Mark Demechko at 694 Salisbury Way, Copley OH 44321. All donations will be distributed amongst Rudi’s many caregivers and to Stewart’s Caring Place, all of whom helped her through her cancer journey.