Violet Mae (Orange) Proach

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“Vi” was devoted to her Catholic faith - often reciting bible verses.

Violet Mae (Orange) Proach, age 96, of Canton Ohio, passed into heaven Sunday, October 25, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She was born March 9, 1930, in Canton Ohio, to Nicholas and Barbara (Godyzk) Orange.

She studied secretarial skills at Timken High School, and after graduation was employed as such, at Timken Roller Bearing Co. On a bus ride to work, she caught the eye of her future husband, John, the love of her life. And the rest is history, as they say. They married in 1951, and shared 70 wonderful years together, until his death in 2021, at 97 years of age.

She became a dedicated full-time mother when they started a family in 1952, with the birth of their daughter Paula, and went on to have John and Patrice. As parents, they taught their children the values of family, religion, hard work and living a simple life. “Vi” was devoted to her Catholic faith - often reciting bible verses. In recent years she thought every day was Sunday, and “it was time to go to church.”

When her children were older, she became very supportive in their endeavors. They will be forever grateful for her kind help. For 35 plus years she worked in North Canton – in the spring at “Greens and Things Nursery” selling flowers – and in the summer at “Juicy Fruits” selling fresh produce. She loved her work, and helping people so much, that she “couldn’t wait to wake up and go to work ! ” and that’s why people always came back. She knew most customers by name. No flower or ear of corn could be sold unless it met her high standards. Even into her 90’s she could be seen at the nursery caring for the plants.

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Living a simple life made her happy.

She was known for her kindness and sweet demeanor, never having a bad word to say about anyone, always positive with no complaints, living a simple life made her happy.

Violet was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Julia Paraszczuk; brother, William Orange. She is survived by sister, Dorothy (Orange) Skaskiw; children, Paula Proach, John (Patti) Proach, and Patrice (Rod) Annis; grandchildren, John D. (Lindsey) Proach, Kristen (Vince) Tenaglia, Evan (Kayla Barnes) Proach, and Preston Annis; and great-grandchildren, Rocco and Rudy Tenaglia, and Luna Proach.

Visitation will be from 5-7 pm, Monday, November 2, 2026, Lamiell Funeral Home, Canton. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 am, Tuesday, November 3, 2026, St. Michaels Catholic Church, Canton. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Massillon.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St Jude Children's Research Hospital or to show an act of kindness to someone in need.