Lenora Lynn Rinella

Lenora L. Rinella, age 51, passed away March 6th following complications from a courageous battle with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. A devoted Christian, Lenora’s strong faith guided her throughout her life and illness.

Born in Atlanta, Georgia, on February 15, 1974, Lenora grew up in the Fulton, Dekalb, and Gwinnett County areas. She graduated from Duluth High School in 1992. She earned her bachelor’s degree in 2011 and her Master's in 2013, both from the University of Phoenix.

An avid Reba McEntire fan and lifelong Dallas Cowboys supporter, Lenora lived her life passionately and purposefully, always doing whatever she could to help those in need. She enjoyed repelling, cheerleading, dancing, playing the flute, bowling, and skating in her youth. More recently, she loved diamond painting, reading, bible study, watching movies, and spending precious time with the love of her life and her family. Lenora was an Akron Sons and Daughters of Italy Lodge #685 member and dedicated many years to volunteering at the Annual Summit County Italian American Festival. She was a volunteer for Hospice and for many years enjoyed being a patient advocate. She also volunteered with the Alzheimer’s Association and the American Heart Association. She was a member of Grace Church Bath Campus. Over her career, Lenora worked as an executive assistant, a paralegal, an office manager, an operations director, and most recently a Financial Advisor. However, her true passion was always helping others, and she found a way to devote time to doing just that in the last years of her life.

Lenora was a loving wife, mother, and nana who found her greatest joy in her family. She is survived by her husband of 29 years, Joseph J. Rinella, III; her four adult children, J’net (Ryan) Weber of Port St. Lucie, Florida, Joseph J. Rinella, IV of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, Michael William Taylor Rinella of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, and Katelyn (James) Gress of Akron, Ohio; her grandsons Tristan and Lucas Weber of Port St. Lucie, Florida, her sisters, Tammy (Christopher) Hotchkiss of Macon, Georgia and Mercedes Uceda of Gainesville, Georgia; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She is also survived by her loving fur babies, Cookie, Bella and Buster.

She was preceded in death by her father-in-law, Joseph J. Rinella, Jr., her maternal grandparents, two angel babies she lost before birth, and her fur babies, Ebony and Little Bit.

Those who knew Lenora will remember her for her unwavering dedication to her loved ones, vibrant spirit, tenacity, and commitment to causes close to her heart.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 22, 2025 from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, followed by a 12:00 pm memorial service at Newcomer Funeral Home, 131 N. Canton Rd., Akron, Ohio 44305.

View the livestream at scheduled service time here

In place of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Lenora’s name to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association to support continued research and education into this challenging and terminal disease.

Weblink: Welcome to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association

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