Grief-stricken family finds solace at holiday parade, 5K

July 5, 2016 at 12:09a.m.

STRUTHERS

A longtime popular parade and first-time 5K run gave thousands of spectators and participants much to see and cheer about, but for one family, a sudden death placed them in the position of trying to turn tragedy into tribute.

“She was the most giving, most loving and most wonderful mom, wife, sister and daughter,” Janet Bartell said of her daughter, Kristy Taaffe, who was supposed to be in the race, but died unexpectedly Sunday. She was 38.

The Mahoning County coroner is investigating, though the family does not suspect foul play.

Bartell, of Cornersburg, was among the 97 people of all ages who took part in the 5K run, which kicked off Monday’s 40th annual Struthers Fourth of July parade.

The colorful, family-friendly parade had 135 units and traveled along Fifth, Sexton and Smithfield streets as well as Poland Avenue and state Route 616, noted John Medvec, chairman and grand marshal.

The 5K run took a similar route.

The run was to raise money for the Struthers Foundation for Educational Excellence, established in March 2000 to provide enhanced educational opportunities in conjunction with the Struthers Board of Education, noted Dexter Hollen, foundation president.

Since 2002, the organization has provided more than $100,000 in grants, including a recent $20,000 one for an entrepreneurial program to begin this fall for middle- and high-school students, Hollen explained. The money also will be used to provide advanced calculators, 3-D printers, electronic tablets, smartboards and other technological items for students, he added.

“I always thought [the parade] was the perfect venue for the race,” said Michael Cox, race director.

Bartell said her daughter, who showed no signs of ill health and had run in many marathon races, also loved reaching out to others, including volunteering on behalf of those who are homeless. In addition, Taaffe served on the Struthers PTA and was the type who continually set new goals for herself after having accomplished older ones, Bartell added.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better wife,” said a tearful Jimmy Taaffe, who owns Limelight Images Photography in Struthers. “Anybody that met her – she touched their lives.”

Jimmy said that on occasion, his wife, who also ran the business, offered free photography services for those unable to afford them.

Offering additional praise for Kristy Taaffe were her daughters, Gianna, 9, and Mickayla, 10.

“She was just the best,” Mickayla said.

“She was the greatest mommy in the world,” her sister added.

Kristy was fondly known for being a go-getter, but she had a carefree side and was someone who was not afraid to be the first person on the dance floor, for example, added her stepfather, Jim Bartell, who works in advertising for The Vindicator. She also was very good with children, he said.

Others who ran in the 5K race in Kristy’s memory or came to show their support were her father, Ray Wolfe; her stepmother, Karen Wolfe; and numerous friends and relatives.

The family is setting up a GoFundMe account in Taaffe’s memory, as well as a foundation for Struthers High School seniors who are interested in the arts, her mother noted.

Bill Bowes, a 2003 Struthers High graduate who was in the 5K race, said he grew up with the parade and runs an average of 40 miles each week. The yearly event also is a great way to get reacquainted with people from nearby neighborhoods, added Bowes, a member of Boardman-based Sheet Metals Workers Union Local 33.

Thousands of people lined both sides of the parade route to enjoy the colorful festivities, floats and balloons. Among the attractions were a variety of vintage cars, a classic firetruck and members of Youngstown-based Little Steel Derby Girls, a flat-track roller-derby league, who were on roller skates.

Some spectators cheered when a vehicle passed with a photograph on its passenger side of LeBron James holding the Larry O’Brien Trophy after the Cleveland Cavaliers had defeated the Golden State Warriors 93-89 in Game 7 of the NBA Finals last month for the team’s first championship.