Juleen Colombo

Juleen Colombo, 78, passed away on October 5, 2021.  She was born May 26, 1943 in Garrettsville, Ohio to the late Nick and Almeda Sarrocco and lived in Ohio her entire life. She began her teaching career in Barberton where she taught third grade for 30 years.

Juleen met her husband James in Barberton and were married for 25 ½ years before his death. Together they took many trips, visiting most of Europe twice as well as Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand and the Philippines. Other trips included two cruises, one of which went as far south as Carracas, Venezuela. They also visited many states, including New York, West Virginia, Virginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Tennessee, California, Illinois, Hawaii, and the countries of Canada and Mexico.

Juleen’s hobbies included collecting postcards, books and other souvenirs from their trips, which she shared with her students. She also collected dolls and valentines, some from foreign countries. Juleen became known as the “Valentine Lady” from her talks that she gave to many different local groups.

Juleen was recognized as an outstanding educator from the Barberton School District and started a scholarship at Barberton High School. The scholarship is called the James and Juleen Colombo Scholarship. James received the O.C. (Ohio Columbus) Barber award from the Barberton Sports Hall of Fame the same year Juleen was chosen as an outstanding educator.

Juleen held many offices during her lifetime. She was the Treasurer for the Washington School P.T.A., Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary and Marshall for the Barberton Emblem (Elks) Club. When she retired from teaching, she joined Kappa Kappa Iota Teacher’s Sorority, Eta Chapter where she served as Secretary for one year, Vice President for four years, and President for four years. She transferred to Delta Chapter where she served one year as secretary and President since 2007. On a state level she was Hospitality Chair for 15 years. She was also a lifetime member of Summit County Retired Teachers.

Juleen became a member of Coventry AARP where she served as an assistant to the Membership Chair. She took over Ways and Means in 2003 and was recognized for outstanding community service by the local chapter and the national chapter in 2004. She received framed certificates and pins from the local and national chapter of AARP.

Her family was able to trace the family tree back to the Mayflower. Juleen was eligible to join many historical groups so she joined the Cuyahoga Portage Chapter of the D.A.R. (Daughters of the American Revolution). Some famous ancestors included being a sixth cousin to Mamie Doud Eisenhower and a sixth cousin to the Packard Automobile family.

Juleen was preceded in death by her parents; husband; one sister; and dog, Prima Donna.   She is survived by her brother, Rob Sarrocco (Angie Burrows); sister, Pam (Art) Winterfeld; nephews, Derek Pope and Kevin Winterfeld; and other loving relatives.

Friends may call at Bacher Funeral Home, 3326 Manchester Rd., Akron. on Thursday, October 14, 2021from 4 to 7 p.m., where services will be held Friday, at 11 a.m. Interment at Holy Cross Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Akron Food Bank or the Humane Society of Summit County, in memory of Juleen.