Rita H. (Symanski) Polacek

Rita H. Polacek, 94, passed away on May 31, 2023 at her residence.

Rita was born in Bayonne, NJ and had been a Barberton resident most of her life. She worked at Seiberling Latex, was an Executive Secretary at Babcock and Wilcox and retired as the Librarian and Secretary at St. Augustine School. Rita was a member of Prince of Peace Catholic Church and Slovak Catholic Sokol #167 where she was very active at both. She was also a volunteer for the Barberton Red Cross and Barberton Public Library.

Preceded in death by her husband Joseph; parents Myron and Wanda Symanski; and brother Henry (Carole) Symanski; Rita is survived by her sons Michael (Sharon), Joe (Georgia) and David (Joy); daughters Valerie Polacek and Mary Jo Prager; grandchildren Cathy Polacek, Emily (James) Griffin, Ty Prager, Josy (Treg) Rufener, Joseph (Nina Little) Polacek and Brooke Polacek; great-grandchildren Dylan, McKenna, Rosalie and Graham; brother Richard (Mary Lou) Symanski; and numerous nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

Rita’s Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 5, 2023 at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 1263 Shannon Ave., Norton. Private Burial at St. Nicholas Cemetery. Calling Hours Sunday from 4-7 p.m. at the SILVA-HOSTETLER FUNERAL HOME, 1199 Wooster Rd. West, Barberton. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Barberton Area Community Ministries or Prince of Peace Church. To share a memory or send a condolence, please visit www.silva-hostetler.com