In Memoriam

Donna Aikens Sabo, age 87 of Perry, Ohio died Dec. 17, 2020. She was with family and under the loving care of the Hospice House in Euclid.

Donna was born Nov. 1, 1933 in Youngstown, PA. She grew up in Midland, PA, graduating as salutatorian of her high school class and went on to graduate from The Pennsylvania State University. She was an avid fan and supporter, right down to her PSUGRAD license plate. Donna taught high school English in Beaver Falls Pennsylvania, and following her move to Ohio, taught at Shaker Heights, Painesville (Riverside), and Madison.

Donna was a founding member of Sabo‘s Woodside Nursery. She kept the books and peace between Jim and Brian. She followed her passion for educating children even during her time off from teaching to raise her sons, by serving two terms on the Madison School Board, including several years as President. Donna married James E. Sabo of Painesville on Aug. 15, 1959 in Midland, PA, during a heat wave in a church without air conditioning, yet the stories only spoke of a beautiful wedding. Donna and Jim lived most of their lives in Madison, Ohio, in the home Jim built that they designed together. As the years passed, they enjoyed many winters in The Villages, Florida. Donna balanced teaching, tending her two sons, membership in the Western Reserve Junior Service League with helping many charitable endeavors. She was an active member of her book club and thrived on the challenges and successes of her five granddaughters; they were her passion and joy. A loyal friend, smart with a keen memory, and incredibly courageous. She stood up to power and never shied away from adversity. Once she set her mind to something, you knew she would accomplish it. She was a huge sports fan, her Nittany Lions were her first love, but she could name the starting quarterback for every NFL team and tell you which coaches should be relieved of their duties. She lived in a Buckeye household, but “We are Penn State” was heard on a frequent basis.

Donna was preceded in death by her mother, Elizabeth Petrosky Aikens, father, Claire Aikens and brother, Ronald. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Jim, sons Tim, (Linda), (Lincoln, NE), and Brian, (Barb) (Madison, OH), granddaughters Kristen (Portland, OR), Jamie (Baltimore, MD), Kylie (LA, CA), Caroline and Rebecca (Madison, OH).

Donna’s final resting place will be the Fairview Memorial Cemetery in Madison, OH. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Hospice of Western Reserve, 300 E 185th Street, Cleveland, OH 44119. DUCRO FUNERAL Services and CREMATORY,4524 Elm Avenue, Ashtabula, Ohio is assisting the family. To plant a tree in memory of Donna Sabo, please visit www.ducro.com

Belinda Eileen Molihan Jones, 56, of Hilliard, Ohio, went home to be with the Lord on Feb. 8, 2021. Belinda was born Jul. 9, 1964 to two loving parents, Keith Franklin Molihan and Judy Cray Molihan. She was raised in Vinton County, Ohio along with her late brother, Brian Franklin Molihan. She was devoted to her brother and honored her parents above all others.

Belinda was always immensely proud of her small-town Ohio roots. Even in high school, she was an active promoter of the community and the hometown values she experienced there. She graduated from Vinton County High School in McArthur, Ohio where she, in true Belinda “do it all” fashion, was both a cheerleader on the sidelines and a flutist in the band at halftime. She also played piano for her local church, Wilkesville United Methodist, and was involved in the Junior Miss competition of Vinton County, which she won as a teenager and later helped judge.

From there, Belinda earned her undergraduate Public Relations degree through Capital University. She went on to work at the Statehouse while completing Capital Law School at night. Belinda greatly valued education and continued giving back to Capital University by serving on the Board for the past several years.

During her thirty plus years in and around the Statehouse, Belinda built a career on her sterling reputation as a hardworking and smart advocate. She started in the Ohio House Clerk’s office of Speaker Vernal G. Riffe and then worked as a legislative aide to Mark Malone. From there, she served as Corporate Counsel for The Scott’s Company and finally as Legislative Counsel for The Capitol Consulting Group. From the beginning, Belinda was incredibly dedicated to her clients and went well above and beyond what was necessary. In many cases, she developed close personal friendships with her clients that lasted long after their professional relationship had concluded.

No matter if you were a high profile politician, senior official, aide, intern, or security guard, Belinda made you feel special. She went out of her way to show everyone kindness, not because it would advance a professional agenda, but because she just wanted to brighten everyone’s day. Belinda’s Statehouse colleagues have endless stories demonstrating her faith, love, and generosity; it was Belinda’s early morning text to let you know she prayed for you, the flowers to a friend, the words of affirmation and encouragement, her kind smile, and the hug when no words would do. The halls of the Statehouse were daily brightened by her light. Throughout her life and career, she had a significant impact on many charitable organizations and nonprofit foundations. This includes Big Brothers Big Sisters, March of Dimes, CATCH Court, Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Akron Children’s Hospital, Sam’s Fans, and several others.

Anyone who met Belinda knows of her deep devotion to her children. She was so proud of them, not so much for their accomplishments, but for their character and their active faith; they were her shining pride and joy. Not only did she give all she had to their happiness, she also enveloped every single friend they brought home. Known as “Aunt B” to many, she always had an encouraging word and a bowl of soup to anyone who walked through her door. To be a friend of the Jones siblings was to be loved by Belinda.

Her greatest legacy, however, is her strong belief in God and His goodness. She was a rock-solid follower of Christ; through seasons of blessings and trials, her mantra was “To God Be The Glory”. She loved her Bible, loved pouring into small groups of younger women, and loved her local churches-- Powell United Methodist and Linworth Baptist.

Belinda is survived by her mother, Judy; her children, who are indebted to her constant encouragement and love, Logan Jones (Layne), Trent Jones (Kiera Miller), Hannah Jones Zimmerer (Bobby); her new baby grand-daughter, Eleanor Jones; and too many friends to count. She was preceded in death by her brother, Brian Molihan; and father, Keith Molihan, who passed away just 6 months ago on Aug., 1 2020.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you give back to the community, just as Belinda loved to do, by donating to the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, Big Brother Big Sisters, or Freedom al la Cart, a Columbus program that partners with CATCH court in helping women who have been caught in human trafficking: 5000 Arlington Center Blvd., 43220.