Vanamae Booth

Vanamae (Critoria) Booth went home to our Lord on July 29, 2024. She was born July 17, 1951, in Canton, OH to Gordon and Irene (Soptelean) Critoria and was a 1969 graduate of McKinely High School. Vanamae met the love of her life Raymond C. Booth in high school and were married for 37 years. After the loss of her mother, she nurtured her siblings while her husband, Ray, served in the Navy during the Vietnam era. Vanamae was a committed volunteer for many organizations including the American Red Cross, St Clement Elementary School where she assisted with the latch key program, classroom painting, annual church festival (especially the soup kitchen) and mentoring new parents through church preparatory sessions for the Sacrament of Baptism.

She was elated to work with the children, parents and loyal teaching staff at St. Joeseph School in Canton for many years as school secretary. Her legacy is left timeless after the school closed in 2014. If she wasn’t hosting a meal, remembering your birthday or giving a hug, she was giving a smile to anyone who passed by.

Most sacred to her was her role as a mother to Irene and Cy. Vanamae and Ray, who were high school graduates, avidly advocated for their children to attend the best schools and earn advanced degrees. She was so proud to see Irene become a chiropractor and Cy become a Catholic priest. They owe their values, compassion, and drive for education to their parents’ countless sacrifices and sincere, loving commitment to them. She loved being a mother, being there for her family and living her Faith with Devotion to Our Holy Mother.

Following the loss of her husband Ray in 2010 and her son Cy in 2020, she fought a broken heart and several years of breast cancer.

She is survived by her daughter, Dr. Irene M. Booth, son-in-law Maj Z. Roloff, granddaughter Mae, and sister Rosemarie Sunderman.

She was preceded in death by her son, Father Josiah N. Booth, her mother, Irene A. (Soptelean) Critoria and Father Gordon Critoria, brothers “Tavie” Gordon Nick Jr., Dr. Floyd S. Critoria, sister Dorothyann Critoria and an infant brother. She also endured numerous pregnancies with loss and love.

The family will receive friends at the Paquelet Funeral Home on Sunday, August 11, 2024, from 2-4 pm and on Monday, August 12, 2024 from 9:30 - 10:30 am. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, August 12, 2024, at 11 am at Holy Family Parish – St. Clement Catholic Church in Navarre with Fr. Edward Gretchko Officiating. She will be laid to rest at St. Clement Cemetery beside her late husband, Raymond C. Booth and son, Fr. Josiah N. Booth. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Holy Family Parish – St. Clement Catholic Church.