Ann Zaytzeff

Anna Zaytzeff, age 92, peacefully passed away Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at Timberland Ridge Nursing and Rehabilitation in Fairlawn, Ohio. Ann was born in New York City, NY, on June 27, 1928 to Theodore and Julia (Blaskiev) Blanch; a first generation Ukrainian-American. Ann was a devout Christian, and was raised in the Ukrainian Catholic Church. Ann attended public schools in New York City. After graduating from high school, she aspired to join the Radio City Rockettes; her father forbid it. Ann subsequently graduated from secretarial school and was employed by Universal Studios at the New York City office. Ann worked in a secretarial pool for the President of the East Coast headquarters located in the Empire State Building. Ann was proud of her Ukrainian heritage and enjoyed the urban lifestyle in New York City. Ann had a flare for fashion and was known to dress to the nines. Ann considered shopping trips in New York City the equivalent of a recreational sport. Ann met Max Zaytzeff at a church dance in New York City while Max was on leave from the Philadelphia Naval Hospital as World War II was ending. Ann and Max were married on February 27, 1950 in New York City at which time she converted to Russian Orthodox. They were devoted to each other and were married for 53 years until Max passed in 2003. Shortly after they were married, they moved to Elmont, Long Island. In 1958, with 3 young children in tow, they moved to Canton, Ohio where Max, along with 2 other accountants from General Electric Credit Corporation opened a satellite office in downtown Canton. They purchased a house in Harter Heights where their children attended Canton City Public Schools. In 1966, they moved to Plain Township. Ann was a homemaker and embraced her responsibility to raise their children Russian Orthodox; they were charter members of Holy Assumption Russian Orthodox Church in Canton. Ann sang in the church choir and helped in the kitchen at the Church Hall with holiday congregational meals and events (including Christmas Yolkas). While Ann and Max were raising their family, most summers they traveled to New York City for vacations to take their children to the museums, Central Park, Jones Beach, Montauk Point and both On and Off Broadway Theatre. Together, Ann and Max enjoyed the Kenley Players Summer Stock Theatre in Northeast Ohio, when they weren't in New York City. Ann is survived by son, Gregory (Nina), daughter, Lorraine (Marc) Shirley of North Canton; nieces Christine Caunt (Steve) of New Jersey, Patricia Donnelly (Jim) of New Jersey, and Katherine Kunsevich of Texas; five grandchildren, one step-grandchild and five great-grandchildren. Ann was preceded in death by her parents; in-laws, John and Julia, beloved husband, Max; son, Mark; sister, Elsie and brother-in-law, Frank Donnelly, sister-in-law, Mary Kunsevich (John); nieces, Juliette Kunsevich and Cynthia Donnelly; and special companion, Paul Eubanks, of Cuyahoga Falls. After Max passed, Ann met Paul at a grief support group. While Ann and Paul were both in good health, they traveled around the United States including a special trip to Hawaii. They cherished these trips and the fun times together. Paul was amazed at how Ann retained her New York accent after having been an Ohio resident for over 60 years. Ann chalked it up to having been a true-New Yorker! Because of Ann's upbringing in New York City, coupled with her work experience at Universal Studios, she was a die-hard fan of the Silver Screen. In more recent years, Ann enjoyed classic movies on the Turner Classic Movie channel. Among her favorite movies include: Witness for the Prosecution, To Kill a Mockingbird, Anna and the King of Siam, Doctor Zhivago, West Side Story, The Godfather, The French Connection and the Shawshank Redemption. Ann also enjoyed reading, especially books that eventually became a movie. While Ann lived in Canton, she enjoyed playing Bingo at outings with her sister, Elsie, and special friend, Mary Schumacher and Mary's sister, Jo. Ann was a people person and had the gift of gab. Ann was awestruck by the on-stage presence, acting talent and vocal range/abilities of entertainers, especially Barbara Streisand and her song "People" and Frank Sinatra and his song "New York, New York." Ann was an animal lover. Several years before Ann transitioned to the National Church Residences Assisted Living in Cuyahoga Falls in 2014, she rescued a Pomeranian-Terrier mix, Zinnia, who was a faithful companion. Zinnia had separation anxiety issues from having been abandoned by her previous owner. Ann was sensitive to Zinnia's fears in this area. The family would like to thank the staff and Administrator (Ms. Brandy Gemind) at the National Church Residences (Portage Path in Cuyahoga Falls) for the outstanding care of our mother while she resided there from February 2014 until December 2020. Also we thank our mother's Primary Care Physician, Dr. Kerek, and the staff at Timberland Ridge Nursing and Rehabilitation and, in her last days, the staff at Crossroads Hospice of Green. We are grateful for the compassionate care that each of the fine professionals gave to our mother. Final resting place is Forest Hill Cemetery. Graveside services have taken place for the immediate family. A memorial service will be held at a future date in Canton. For those wishing to send condolences please visit www.lamiellfuneralhome.com. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or Crossroads Hospice of Green.