Michelle R. Sciarini

Michelle R. Sciarini, age 39, of Akron, passed away Monday, November 19, 2018, in University of Toledo Medical Center, from complications of dysautonomia, a condition in which the autonomic nervous system does not function properly.

Born January 15, 1979, in Dover’s Union Hospital, she was the daughter of Michael J. and Carol L. Reichman Sciarini of Dover. Michelle graduated from Dover High School in 1997, and went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Akron, and her master’s degree in higher education from Ball State University. Michelle was employed as Campus Residence Life Coordinator for several college campuses until illness prevented her from doing so.

Michelle gave freely of her time, talent and love. She was Roman Catholic by faith, attending Mass wherever she lived. She played the pipe organ and piano for Tuscarawas County area churches, and played the flute as well. Michelle was a visual artist too, which included work in drawing and calligraphy. She wrote professionally, penning articles for various schools and the Dysautonomia Support Network. Michelle spoke often at different universities over the years regarding college life, and was instrumental in starting the Emerging Leaders Program at the University of Akron. Additionally, she held Amateur Radio Extra Class license KB8ILX, and was an amateur radio Volunteer Examiner.

She will be sadly missed by her family, which includes her parents, Michael and Carol; her brother, Stephen Sciarini of Uniontown; and her aunts, uncles and cousins.

Michelle was preceded in death by her grandparents, Guy and Albina Sciarini, and George and Dorothy Reichman.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, November 24, at 10:30 a.m., in St. Joseph Church, Dover; Fr. Jimmy Hatfield will officiate. Those planning to attend the Mass are asked to go directly to the church on Saturday morning. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Calvary Cemetery, New Philadelphia. Following the committal, there will be a luncheon in the Dover First United Methodist Church. Family and friends are invited to call at the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory, Dover, on Friday, November 23, 4 - 7 p.m. There will be a Christian wake service Friday at 6:45 p.m. in the funeral home. Visitation will also be held Saturday, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. in the church.

The family suggests that contributions in Michelle’s memory be made to the Dysautonomioa Support Network, 140 Purcellville Gateway Dr., Purcellville, Virginia 20132, www.DysautonomiaSupport.org.