08/26/2026

Obituary for Brenda J. Bagnoli

Mother-in-law to Jim Donovan, Owner of Donovan Funeral Home and Donovan Bagnoli Funeral Home; Grandmother of James Donovan, Funeral Director

Brenda J. Bagnoli, 87, passed away August 19, 2026. Brenda was raised in North Industry and was a graduate of Canton South High School. She lived most of her life in Tallmadge.

Brenda was the most soft and caring person you would ever meet. Her love and enthusiasm to see you was always genuine. Her calendars were filled with birthdays, anniversaries, school plays, sporting events, church events, and so much more; all to be there for the people she loved. Her door was always open and her phone was never far. Her smile, laugh, and wit could only make you smile back. Brenda loved her family. Her greatest joys were her children and grandchildren. There was never a day or conversation where they were not the center of her questions or concern. She would brag about them all whenever she was able. Whenever we would gather at her house, she was just overjoyed to spend those evenings with the people she loved the most.

Brenda was an avid reader, and loved to cross stitch. Brenda enjoyed going to church at the First Congregational Church of Tallmadge. She was an active member of women's Fellowship. She was also a member of the Tallmadge Prime Timers and the Silver Sneakers. She loved going to Myrtle Beach with her husband, Larry and would come home and jokingly brag to her family and friends about how good of a tan she got. She loved to go walking, sometimes up to 5 miles a day. She would often walk at the Tallmadge Rec Center with her friends or even just out and about at her home. Brenda was a faithful watcher of “The Young and the Restless". When she would watch her grandchildren, she would make sure they didn’t change the channel and mess up the recording of “her soaps”. The invention of the digital DVR built into the cable box saved a number of grandkids’ afternoons. Brenda was also a big Ohio State Buckeyes fan and loved watching the games surrounded by family.

Despite her small size she overcame many large challenges in her life. She was an incredibly strong woman and her optimism and love of life will live in our hearts forever. We are happy knowing she is once again reunited with Larry.

Brenda was preceded in death by her husband, Larry; parents, Earl and Evelyn Greenleaf; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Samuel and Viola Bagnoli; and brother-in-law, Richard Barr.

Brenda is survived by her daughters, Meri Beth (Michael) Melink and Julie (Jim) Donovan; grandchildren, Joshua (Kristen Pearson) Melink, James Donovan, Christian (Zihan) Melink, Courtney (Joey Marfy) Donovan, and Kendall Donovan; sister, Annjanette (John) Garber; sister-in-law, Delores Barr; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends.

Visitation will be 4:00 until 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 26, 2026 at the Donovan Funeral Home, 17 Southwest Ave. (On the Historic Tallmadge Circle).