Louise Agnes (DeVitis) Grillo, age 91, passed away at Holzer Medical Center in Gallipolis on Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. She was born in Akron, Ohio on Sept. 20, 1929 to the late Leonard and Clara DeVitis; unfortunately, Louise’s mother passed away when she was only two years old. Her special Aunt and Uncle Rosa and Michael Conte moved in with Louise’s father to help raise her, her sister, and brother.
Louise was a graduate of St. Vincent High School in 1948 and the University of Akron.
Louise met her husband Newton Grillo at the University of Akron and the couple married on June 9, 1951. They were happily married for 46 years until Newt passed away on Aug. 15, 1997. She was also preceded in death by her father and mother-in-law, Newton and Anna Grillo of Akron, Ohio.
Louise worked at Akron General and later was a long-time employee of Coll Auto Sales in Jackson as a bookkeeper.
Louise and Newt moved from Akron to Jackson, Ohio in 1966 when Newt began working at the new Goodyear Plant and made Jackson their forever home.
Louise is survived by a brother, Angelo DeVitis of Adventura, Florida and a sister, Norma Bisson of Monterey, California.
Louise is also survived by four children: Suzanne (Casey) Jones of Jackson, Ohio, N. Robert (Penny) Grillo of McArthur, Ohio, Timothy (Mary) Grillo of Upper Arlington, Ohio and Petey Higgins and Ron Thompson of Amherst and Sandusky, Ohio.
Louise was a loving grandmother to the following children: Jennifer (Shane) Wolford, Christopher (Mandy) Jones, Katie (Aaron) Eberts, Andy Grillo, Chloe Higgins, Harrison Higgins, Ben Higgins, Clara Grillo, and Anna Grillo. Louise was also blessed with the following great-grandchildren: Cade, Bodhi, Ava, and Broxton Wolford, Daxton and Olivia Eberts and new baby to come, and Ty Jones.
She was a long-time member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church and Altar Society. She loved organizing and helping at the yearly rummage sales at the church and was very proud to have taught first-grade catechism for many years.
Louise was an avid bridge player and enjoyed playing often with her many wonderful friends. She was a passionate gardener, loved to read, and enjoyed collecting antiques. She refinished many beautiful pieces for herself, her children, and her grandchildren. She was also an amazing seamstress and a wonderful cook who loved to prepare large family dinners and was famous for her “Grandma Cookies.”
Louise particularly enjoyed attending sporting events to cheer on her Ironmen, Vikings, Amherst, Capital University and Upper Arlington children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved traveling with her family to visit friends and relatives. She loved reading and staying connected with family and friends via Facebook, FaceTime, and technology.
Louise was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and will be missed by them and all her amazing friends.
In lieu of flowers and other memorial tributes, donations may be made to the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 227 S. New York Ave., Wellston, Ohio 45692.
A funeral mass will be held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Jackson, Ohio on Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021 at 10 a.m., with Father Nic Ventura officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Jackson.
The family will receive friends at the Mayhew-Brown Funeral Home, 135 Broadway Street, Jackson, Ohio on Monday, Jan. 25 from 4 to 8 p.m.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.mayhew-brownfuneralhome.com
Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, for those opting to attend the visitation and/or funeral service, face masks are required inside the funeral home, at the church, and at the cemetery. Proper social distancing must also be maintained. We thank you for your cooperation.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Mayhew-Brown Funeral Home in Jackson.