SEBRING, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) – With great sadness in our hearts, our family announce the passing of our loving mom, grandma and great-grandma, Roberta “Bobbi” Rae Cannell on Thursday, October 26, 2023.

She was born on October 9, 1943 to the late Michael and Betty Benning and spent her entire life in Sebring, Ohio. 

Bobbi graduated from Sebring McKinley High School in 1961.

She married James R. Cannell, Sr. on September 19, 1962. James passed away July 23, 2022, just two months shy of their 60th wedding anniversary.

Bobbi was proud to raise her three children and make Sebring her home. She could always be found volunteering at her children’s schools, or at the Sebring Fire Department Carnivals where she devoted many years. There wasn’t anything in this world she loved more than family. She spoiled her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and loved every minute of it. We recently were able to get together and celebrate her 80th birthday.

Bobbi became a licensed realtor, working for over 30 years helping people find their dream homes.

Keeping her memories alive are her children, Chris (Tim Hetrick) Cannell, Jim (Lesley) Cannell and Mikki (David) Kanagy; grandchildren, Lauren (Joey) James, Jacob (Halley) Frank, Joshua (Kara) Frank, Johnny (Karlie) Cannell, Evan (Anto) Cannell, Natalie (Tom) Lally, Sam Kanagy, Michael Kanagy and Alli Kanagy; sister, Shelley (Mark) Eells; brother-in-law, Jac Cannell and many nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind eight great-grandchildren, Rowan, Evie, Remington, Harper, Hallie, Hudson, Jonas, Chloe and two more expected in June 2024.

Besides Bobbi’s parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Bonnie Snider and Bevie Jackson; sister-in-law, Daphne Cannell and nephew, Greg Whitlatch.

As per Bobbi’s wishes, she asked us to hold a private family memorial at a later date.

We would like to thank Alliance Hospice for the compassion and help they gave us to allow our mom to pass at home with her children by her side.

Friends and family may send condolences and sign the guest register online at www.grfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Gednetz-Ruzek-Brown Funeral Home, Sebring, 330-938-2526.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Roberta “Bobbi” (Benning) Cannell, please visit our floral store.

A television tribute will air Wednesday, November 1 at the following approximate times: 7:10 a.m. on FOX, 12:22 p.m. on WKBN, 5:08 p.m. on MyYTV and 7:27 p.m. on WYTV. Video will be posted here the day of airing.