Anna Bento

Anna Marie Bento, 86, passed away peacefully on February 22, 2025, with her loving family by her side, following a five-year battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Anna was born in Ashtabula on September 2, 1938, the daughter of Anthony and Edna (Sjögren) Lombardo. She graduated from Harbor High School in 1956 and went onto Kent State University for her bachelor’s degree in education; and later on in her teaching career she went on to receive her master’s degree and principals’ certificate from Edinboro University.

On June 13, 1959, Anna married Donald J. Bento at Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church.  Over the past 65 years Anna and Don were blessed with children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and with a marriage filled with love, happiness, and the most priceless memories that a couple could ever ask for.

Anna was a teacher and principal for the Buckeye School System for 25 years.  She thoroughly enjoyed what she did; she loved the people that she worked with and the children that she taught.  Her job led her to many great lifelong friendships.

Anna was very active with several different educational, social, and church organizations; She belonged to the Story Weavers, Cribs-to-College, the Ashtabula County Retired Teachers Association, the Bula Bells, the Ashtabula Women’s Club, the Finnish Heritage Association, the Red Hat Society, the Ashtabula Bridge Club, and the O.L.O.P Church Choir.  She enjoyed reading, cooking and baking, music; and animals; she and Don loved their pets.  

The years she stayed at home to raise their children were what she believed were the most wonderful years of her life; and then her grandchildren came along, and they totally stole her heart.  Watching them grow up filled her heart with love and joy; she was so proud to be their grandma.  Her beautiful smile and her kind and loving heart will never be forgotten.

She survived by her loving family; her husband, Donald; her children: Dawn (Kelly) Prine, Joseph Bento, and John (Diana) Bento; her grandchildren: Anthony Young, Sean Prine, Alexis (Jim) Fonow, Roger (Hannah) Bento, and Ryan Bento; her great-grandchildren: Stephen Young, Gianna Young, Layla Young, Anthony Damon, Alex Damon, Eli Prine, Adelie Bento, Alinah Bento, and Damien Bento; her sister Sharon Simmen; as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her grandson Stephen Young and her siblings: James Lombardo, Anthony Lombard, and Verna Lombard.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday, March 8 at 11 AM at Our Lady of Peace (Mt. Carmel Church), 1220 E. 21st St., Ashtabula, OH. Calling hours will be held on Friday, March 7 from 4:00-7:00 at Czup Funeral Home, 1329 Lake Avenue. Ashtabula and on Saturday morning at the church one hour prior to her Mass from 10:00-11:00.

Memorial contributions can be made in her name to Saint Jude’s Children’s Hospital or the Alzheimer’s Association, and envelopes will be available at the funeral home and at the church. The family would like to thank the entire staff at Saybrook Landing and Bella Care Hospice for their loving and compassionate care over the years.

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