Nelda P Rotunno

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Michael’s Church, Canfield Ohio on

Oct. 3, 2023 at 10 am for Nelda P. Rotunno, 83, who passed away on Sept. 27,

2023 surrounded by family.

Nelda was the daughter, of Baptist Minister Francis Pickern and Virginia Lee

Pickern . She was born July, 12, 1940 in Tallahassee, FL and was raised in

Columbus, GA. She graduated from Baker High school in 1958 where she was

active in many clubs including band, Future Teachers of America, and 4-H. In

1958 she attended the 4-H Club Congress representing the state of Georgia in the

National 4-H Girls Home Economics Award Program.

She attended the University of Georgia where she graduated in 1962 with a

Bachelor of Science in Home Economics. As she believed in lifelong learning and

the value of knowledge she embarked on college again and earned her second

college degree in 1988: A Bachelor of Science and Applied Science from

Youngstown State University.

She married the love of her life, Anthony F Rotunno on June 20, 1963 at the

Cathedral of Christ the King in Atlanta. After a few short years she left the warmth

of the south and began another adventure in the snow belt of Ohio..all for love and

family! They moved to Canfield in 1970 and made this their forever home. Aside

from being a devoted wife and amazing mother to 4 children, Nelda worked as an

interior designer for the Joseph Hornes Company. She also served in a variety of

educational roles throughout her career: She was a 7 th grade teacher at Riverside

Middle School in Georgia, was involved with the Ohio State University Extension

office in Mahoning County and was often a substitute teacher in the area. She

finished her career in 2001 as the Financial Aid Counselor and Federal Grant

Writer for the Alliance City schools Adult Continuing Education program in Stark

County.

Her Catholic Faith was very important to her. She studied its doctrines for many

years and participated in Renewals of Faith retreats. She was a parishioner of St

Michael’s Church for 52 years. She was actively involved with St. Michael’s Alter

Guild, where she served as President for many years. She was instrumental in

creating the First Edition of the St. Michael’s Alter Guild Cookbook and remained

a “foodie” until her dying day!

Nelda loved to watch The Food Network, Home Improvement Shows, and The

Hallmark Channel with her family!! She was an avid college football fan always

rooting for her Georgia Bulldogs.

She was tough, resilient and the quiet little giant of the family! Everyone that met

her, loved her and took inspiration from her inner strength. She was the go to

person for questions about anything! Her intellect allowed her to have wonderful

conversations with everyone about anything…and she never stopped sharing her

desire to learn and teach and improve things.

Nelda is survived by her children, Lawrence of Michigan, Jonathan of Canfield,

Rhonda (Jason), of Cuyahoga Falls, and Maria (Michael) of Canfield. Her

grandchildren Brianna and Toni. She leaves her sister Virginia Welch of Georgia

her brother Robert Pickern of Arizona and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Margaret, and her beloved

husband of 50 years, Anthony.

Friends may call on Monday Oct. 2, from 4-6 at Lane Funeral Home Canfield

Chapel.