Kendra St. Charles of Akron passed away on Tuesday May 6th , 2025 due to a stroke. Kendra was born on March 24th, 1952, in Akron to Bob Sweeney and Mary Yanko Sweeney. Kendra was raised in the restaurant business. Her grandparents, Nick and Mabel Yanko, owned Yanko’s Restaurant in the 50s and 60s located in Highland Square. It was the “In” restaurant to go to during the time. The “Who’s Who’s” of Akron would attend there along with celebrities who would be visiting Akron.

Kendra was a proud 1970 graduate of Firestone High School.

Charming, southern-accented talking, horse trainer, Paul St. Charles, soon came into Kendra’s life. Paul introduced Kendra to the glamorous-exciting world of the American Saddlebred Horse industry where Kendra made many life-long friends. They married and had a daughter, Tracy. They owned St. Charles Stables. Kendra’s main job was hosting and cooking for customers and out-of-town guests that may be interested in buying a horse. Kendra cherished that time of her life.

Soon Kendra found herself to be a single mother. In true Kendra fashion, she found the strength, independence and showed she is a true survivor to be a single mother. She started her 40 some year career in the optical industry as a sales representative selling eyeglass frames to optometrists. Again, the optical industry was another industry where she made life- long friends.

Kendra’s life was forever altered on March 22nd, 1992, when she was aboard USAIR flight 405 and it crashed into Flushing Bay in New York City on take-off. In true strength and survivor fashion, Kendra survived and pulled herself from the bay. Kendra recovered and went onto do national talk shows, national magazines, local news articles and TedX Talks telling her story. She was also an integral part of getting the Family Assistance Act passed in Washington DC which assists families affected by aviation disasters. Kendra had a passion for assisting families of aviation disaster victims. The aviation industry is another industry where Kendra made life-long friends.

Kendra also had a passion for helping people. She did not know a stranger and her daughter and son-in-law often laughed on how she talked to everyone. Her doors were always open, and she knew how to throw a party. If you were going to one of Kendra’s parties, you knew you were going to get some good food as she also had a passion for cooking.

Kendra was a very strong-independent person who did life her way.

Also, if you knew Kendra, you probably heard about her grandchildren. The grandchildren, Christopher and Luca, were her number one priority. They affectionally referred to Kendra as “GG.” They would go to “Camp GG’s” where GG would be the fun grandmother.

Kendra is survived by daughter, Tracy Pittello (Joseph, Jr.), grandchildren, Christopher Pittello and Luca Pittello and many relatives and close friends.

She is preceded in death by father, Bob Sweeney, mother, Mary Yanko Sweeney, brother whom she had a close and special bond, Kevin Sweeney, and ex-husband, Paul St. Charles.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Akron Children’s Adult and Pediatric Burn Institute and Alcoholics Anonymous.

The family will receive friends at Billow’s, 85 N. Miller Rd. Fairlawn Monday May 12th 4PM-7PM. Also, on Tuesday May 13th 2PM at Westminster Presbyterian Church 1250 W. Exchange St. Akron.

Mom, go be with Bobbi, Uncle Kevin, Dad and your close friends that I know that you have missed. Love, your daughter.