Anne L. Sweeney

Anne Louise Sweeney, age 76, passed away on November 19, 2024, in Barberton, Ohio. She was the second of three daughters of Darl and Loretta (Brune) Sweeney, who preceded her in death. Anne was born in Barberton on April 21, 1948. Education was a very important aspect of Anne’s life both as a student and educator.  She attended elementary school at St. Augustine, in Barberton, and loved her high school experience at St. Mary’s in Akron, graduating in 1966. Anne received her BA in Education from the University of Akron in 1970, earned a master’s degree in non-public school administration in 1988 from Ursuline College, and completed related coursework at Notre Dame College, Ashland University, and Kent State University. During retirement, she took Encore and Sage adult education classes, fulfilling her goal of being a lifelong learner. Her class choices included a variety of topics from art appreciation to the history of Ohio. Anne spent 41 years working in Catholic education for the Diocese of Cleveland. She taught for seven years at St. Bernard School in Akron and then for eleven years at St. Francis de Sales School in Parma. In the fall of 1988, Anne became the principal at St. Francis de Sales, where she served an additional 23 years. Anne believed strongly in the value of Catholic education and always thought her students were the “best kids in the world.” Anne served on a variety of evaluation teams and diocesan committees and in many school and parish organizations over the years and was an active parishioner at St. Bernard, St. Francis de Sales (Parma), and St. Augustine churches. Her Catholic faith guided her life and meant everything to her. Anne was interested in a variety of subjects and activities. She loved being Irish, doing counted cross stitch, watching NCAA and NBA basketball, decorating her house, spending time with her family and many friends – and talking! She served as treasurer of the Friends of the Barberton Public Library, helped with many of their events, and wrote a column for the Barberton Herald that focused on the work of the Friends. Her love of reading was evident in her membership in three area book clubs. She learned so much from what she read and from her interactions with her discussion groups. She also served on the board at Barberton Area Community Ministries, which addresses food insecurity in the area. In addition to her parents, Anne was preceded in death by her sister, Ellen Kepler of Barberton, and her nephew, Andrew Calder. She is survived by her sister, Jean (Jim) Calder of Austin, Texas; her brother-in-law, Rick Kepler; her nephew, Eric (Kris) Calder of Austin, Texas; and nieces Allison (Joe) Noga of Cleveland and Sarah (Chris) Nash of Lexington, South Carolina, who meant the world to her. She jokes that each of them thought he/she was her “favorite,” and that was her goal! She was a great-aunt to Conner, Thomas, Adam, Abby, Addison, Connor, and Logan. Anne's Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at St. Augustine Catholic Church, 204 Sixth St. NW., Barberton. Burial at Holy Cross Cemetery. Calling Hours Monday from 4-7 p.m. at the Silva-Hostetler Funeral Home, 1199 Wooster Rd. West, Barberton. Donations in Anne's name may be made to: BACM (Barberton Area Community Ministries), 939 Norton Avenue, Barberton, OH 44203, Friends of the BPL (Barberton Public Library), 602 W. Park Avenue, Barberton, OH 44203 or St. Augustine School, 204 Sixth Street NW, Barberton, OH 44203.

To share a memory, send a condolence or view her Video-Gift tribute, please visit www.Silva-Hostetler.com.