Frances Joanne (Hall) Cardinal

Frances Joanne Cardinal of Stow, Ohio passed away at home on December 2, 2021 after managing Alzheimer’s Disease with determination and grace for many years.

Frances Joanne Cardinal (née Hall), age 93, was born on September 19, 1928, in Ashtabula, Ohio to loving parents Clyde Conrad Hall and Margaret Genevieve Hall (née Hotchkiss) as well as brother William Thomas Hall, Ph.D., whom she adored. 

Joanne grew up and attended schools on Ashtabula’s west side. After her junior year she transferred from Ashtabula High School to Edgewood Senior High School, from which she graduated in 1946. She loved her time in Ashtabula and enjoyed attending class reunions for both schools until very late in her life. 

She went on to study Elementary Education at Kent State University where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree and became a certified teacher. She dedicated her career to teaching the fundamentals of reading, writing and math as well as appreciation for creativity, individuality, and respect. She taught third, fourth, and fifth grade starting in the Edgewood (Buckeye) District in Ashtabula, then Stow-Munroe Falls City Schools, Kent City Schools and, finally at St. Patrick School in Kent.  She expertly combined a no-nonsense teaching style with a genuine appreciation of the students’ humor, successes, and efforts. Upon her retirement from teaching, she joined her husband as an advisor with Ken Cardinal and Associates, serving educators from schools in thirty-four states and three Canadian provinces.

It was at Kent State University that she met the love of her life and, as she often said, “great guy” Ken Cardinal of Sebring, Ohio.  They married on June 20, 1951, in Ashtabula just ahead of Ken’s deployment with the United States Army to Korea during the Korean Conflict. She and Ken went on to have three children: Melissa Marie Habowski (Ron) of Kent, Ohio, Christina Louise Phillips (Jack) of Harrison, Ohio, and Vincent James Cardinal of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Joanne and Ken, members of St. Patrick Church, raised their family in Kentbefore moving to Stow in 2006.

Joanne was a member of the Alpha Nu Chapter of Alpha Chi Omega Sorority, the Portage County Retired Teachers Association, and the Chestnut Society.  She enjoyed the company of family and friends, attending theatre events and traveling with Ken as his work took them around the United States and into Canada.

Joanne delighted in her grandchildren who are Jay Phillips (Erin), Katie Conley (Joe), Kenny (Rosa), Michael (Hannah) and Mark Phillips; Scott, Joelle (Bruce), Christopher (Susan) and Dale Habowski, great-grandchildren who are Aubree, Elliana, and Lauren Phillips and Lana Price; Parker and Owen Conley; Serena and Richard Martinez; Summer and Paige Habowski and great-great-grandchildren Levi, Layla, and Hazel Martinez; Alessandra, Marcele, and Aaliyah Witherspoon. She is also survived by nieces Cheryl Collins (née Hall), Roberta Orsini (née Hall), Deborah Safcik (née Hall), and nephew Christopher Hall.

She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, brother, and sister-in-law Patricia Hall (née Stickney), Uncle Harold Eugene Hotchkiss and Aunt Lena Lucille Hotchkiss (née Grey).

The family wishes to thank Jane Adya, extraordinary care giver and friend.  Our thanks as well to Kindred Hospice.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am, Tuesday, December 7, 2021 at St. Patrick Church, 313 North DePeyster St., Kent, OH 44240.  Burial and graveside service will be held at Standing Rock Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by BISSLER & SONS FUNERAL HOME in Kent. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Patrick School Endowment Fund, 127 Portage St., Kent, Ohio 44240.

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