Mary Jo Heller

Mary Jo Heller (Vinciguerra) passed peacefully at her home on January 10, 2024 after a long illness. Together again with her beloved husband of 52 years Charles "Chuck" Heller, she joins her in-laws Joe and Louise Heller and her parents Carl and Clara Gina Vinciguerra (Capotosto). Mary Jo was a loving, caring wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and was an amazingly loyal friend.

Mary Jo is survived by her loving children: Mark (Kathy), Todd (Isabel), Natalie (Justin) Wilbur, Melanie (David) Wonner, and Kyle (Tesse). Her treasured grandchildren: Christopher Heller, Louis Manuel Heller, Zachary, Hannah, Emily Wilbur, Garrett, Makenna, and Kaden Heller. And, her new great-grandson Joc Wilbur, whom she was delighted to have met before her death. She is also survived by her sister Carol Ann (Alfred) Rapp, nieces Carla Gene (David) Rapp, Melissa (Dave) Maloney, and their children Rosemary and Joseph, and lastly but not least her special four-seasons friends since Cuyahoga Falls high school days.

Mary Jo will be missed for her warm smile, heart of gold, giving nature, and small gestures of kindness towards strangers in need. She started her working career in the early days at NRM and Akron Children's Hospital before following her passion for people and sales and becoming a real estate agent and broker for the next 50 years.

Mary Jo was an instrumental member of the Akron Area Board of Realtors, serving as director and trustee, an instructor of ethics for new agents, and she was a founding member of the real estate information center. Among her many accomplishments, she earned the GRI top ten society for Akron area realtors, served as President of the Akron area board of realtors trade and exchange group, was a trustee for OAR from which she received the Ben Franklin award, and chaired numerous committees for the AABOR.

Mary Jo's generous nature led her to dabble in many other organizations throughout the years in addition to her real estate career such as: Tallmadge school librarian assistant, room mother, and reading tutor. She was President of the Tallmadge Woods HOA for 13 years and participated many years at many levels with the Tallmadge bicentennial committee.

Most memorable for Mary Jo was her participation as Mrs. Claus for 17 years with Larry Bagnoli (Santa) at the Tallmadge circle for the community children. Also feeding into her fun, free-spirited nature was how she became infamous for being the "Hug Lady," handing out juice barrels to neighborhood children for trick or treat. Some other groups Mary Jo enjoyed were Tallmadge Prime timers, New Beginnings, and lifetime friends from High School group called Friends Forever.

Mary Jo loved spending time with friends and family at her lake house and spoiling her guests with her delicious, endless meals. Mary Jo was a longtime member of Our Lady of Victory Church. Per Mary Jo's wishes, cremation has taken place, and a Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Victory Church, 73 North Ave. Tallmadge, Ohio 44278. The family invites you to join them after Mass for a coffee reception in the church's social hall.

Mary Jo's warmth, generosity, and vibrant spirit will be cherished by all who knew her, leaving behind a legacy of love that will continue to inspire for generations to come.

Friends and family may leave messages for the family at Newcomer Funeral Homes page by searching Mary Jo Heller. The Funeral Mass will be livestreamed on the Parish's Facebook Page at Click Here to view the service.