Vera Maye Ciminillo

Vera Maye Ciminillo, 98, passed away at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 8, 2021, at her home in Lima.

She was born on February 16, 1923, in St. Marys, Ohio, to the late Earl and Sylvia (Black) Paglow.  On July 22, 1944 she married Lewis Ciminillo who preceded her in death on November 20, 1989.

Vera was always vibrant, active and lots of fun.  While still a toddler, Vera moved to Lima with her family in a horse-drawn wagon.  She loved to play with her siblings and friends at Faurot Park and to deliver newspapers with her brother, Leo.  In high school, she participated in theater and basketball. Upon graduation, she worked as an elevator operator, at the postal telegraph office, and at Ciminillo’s Fruit Stand.  It was there that she met her husband of 45 years, Lewis Ciminillo, a widower with three small children.  Upon her marriage to Lewis, Vera embraced his children as her own and the couple had 11 more.  While raising their children, Vera remained an active participant of her church, often modeling for the Altar Rosary Society’s fundraisers at St. Charles Catholic Church.  She worked alongside her husband throughout her adult life at various enterprises, including Ciminillo Produce and Betty Bright Laundry, while maintaining a thriving homelife for her family.  Later, Vera established another Lima business, ASAP Self Storage.

As her children grew, Vera enjoyed taking them on outings and hosting pasta dinners for her ever-expanding family. She bestowed a smile and friendly word on all those who crossed her path.  Throughout her life, she always enjoyed new experiences and challenges.  As the matriarch of a large multi-generational family, Vera served as a powerful role model by exhibiting a strong sense of independence and self-reliance, continuously pursuing her interests in learning new skills and information and enjoying all of life’s adventures that came her way.

She is survived by her daughters:, Mary Jo (Daniel) Gast of Lima, OH, Constance (Tom) Ford of Hanover Park, IL, Patricia (Ray) Hicks of Lima, OH and Rebecca Ciminillo-Keys of Powell, OH, Renee Ciminillo Jayne of Perrysburg, OH; sons: Jeff (Lorraine) Ciminillo of Lima, OH, Dan (Kris) Ciminillo of Cincinnati, OH, Greg (Lisa) Ciminillo of Lima, OH, Scot Ciminillo of Columbus, OH, Jon Christopher Ciminillo of Lima, OH, David (Julie) Ciminillo of Lima, OH; forty-six grandchildren; seventy-five great-grandchildren; twenty-three great-great-grandchildren; sister, Nellie Martin of Wauseon, OH; and sister-in-law, Louise Paglow of Lima, OH.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her sons: Robert Lewis Ciminillo, James Anthony Ciminillo and Randall Paul Ciminillo; daughter-in-law, Lula Fay Ciminillo; son-in-law, Pat Keys; brothers: Virgil Paglow, Leo Paglow and Marvin Paglow; sisters: Jenny Degen, and Esther Paglow; great granddaughter, Tara Cutlip.

The family will receive friends from 6 – 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 13th and 2 – 8 p.m. on Friday, May 14th followed by a Parish Wake at 8 p.m. at Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home.   The Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 9:30 on Saturday, May 15th at St. Charles Catholic Church.  Father Kent Kaufman will officiate.  Burial will be at Gethsemani Cemetery, Lima, OH.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ciminillo Scholarship Fund, in Vera Ciminillo’s honor, mail to:  Lima Community Foundation, 101 N. Elizabeth St., #506, Lima, OH  45801.

Arrangements handled by Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home, Lima.  Condolences may be expressed at www.chamberlainhuckeriede.com .