Joanne Colombo 1953-2026
HUDSON — Joanne Colombo passed away Sunday, March 22, 2026, at home after a courageous four-plus-year battle with ovarian cancer. She was surrounded by her loving family in person and in spirit.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Violet (nee Shasho) and Joseph Sobinovsky. She leaves her adoring husband of 36 years, Eugene; sister, Karen (Dennis) Evans; brother, Joseph (Christine) Sobinovsky; brother-in-law, Louis Colombo (partner Virginia Davison); nephew, Victor (Thailan Phan) Colombo; nieces, Laura Colombo, Maria, Gina and Lisa Sobinovsky; and great-nieces, Isa and Lana Colombo.
Joanne was born in Youngstown on Jan. 28, 1953, and grew up in Austintown. After graduating from Austintown Fitch High School, she began a long and successful career in the steel industry, initially working for Republic Steel in Warren and, after the company’s merger with LTV, relocating to the corporate offices in Cleveland. It is there that she met the love of her life, Gene.
She was a fan of all the Cleveland teams, but especially the Browns, all beginning in the ’60s, when she would accompany her dad for a special once-a-year trek to watch a game in person. But her most passionate love was reserved for her Ohio State Buckeyes and especially their band, rarely missing a game and holding season tickets for a number of years.
Joanne and Gene loved to travel, having cruised extensively in the Caribbean and throughout Europe. But she was also always happy to return home, where she enjoyed decorating extensively for every holiday, gardening and watching the hummingbirds and yellow finches who visited her many feeders during the summer.
More than anything Joanne loved spending time with family and friends. She never missed the reunions with her numerous aunts, uncles and cousins from both sides of her parents’ families. But the highlights of her summers were the weeks spent with her nieces that always included extensive shopping and dinners at several of their favorite area restaurants.
Joanne’s smile, warmth and generosity will be remembered forever. She leaves behind a legacy of love, strength and compassion that will remain with us all.
A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10 a.m. Monday, March 30, 2026, at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 8894 state Route 14, Streetsboro. A celebration of her life will follow in the church hall.
Private burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery, Austintown.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Akron-Canton Foodbank, Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley, or St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church.
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