Jessica L. (Garrod) Dieter

Jessica Lee (Garrod) Dieter, 43, of Mentor, OH, formerly of New Waterford, passed away on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, surrounded by her husband and family, at University Hospitals of Cleveland.  On August 2, 2024, Jessica reached her 20th year being a cancer warrior.

Jessica was born on August 12, 1981, in Salem, OH to Garry Garrod and the late Becky McConville Garrod.

After Jess graduated from Crestview High School in 1999, she attended Mount Union College receiving a bachelor’s degree followed by a master’s degree in Elementary Education. Her first teaching job was 2nd grade in London, OH. Shortly thereafter, her mother was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer. Because of her desire to be close to her mother, she took a teaching position at McKinley Elementary School. One year later she herself was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer and a short time later she would lose her mother to the same illness. Jessica continued her courageous fight with countless treatments at Cleveland University Hospital for a total of 20 years until her Lord and Savior called her home.

From a very young age, Jessica’s parents taught her the importance of the principles she lived by. In her early years she attended New Waterford United Methodist Church, where she learned the importance of personal relationship with Jesus Christ, through the teaching and influence of family and friends.

In recent years, she attended and became a member of Parkside Church in Cleveland, where she was baptized two years ago. She enjoyed participating in weekly Bible studies, her cancer support group and serving in the nursery. She also enjoyed Pilates exercising and baking custom designed cookies. “Gracie’s Goodies” was her gourmet cookie company. She got great satisfaction out of creating beautifully decorated creations for every occasion and special gifts

Jessica loved vacationing and spending her time relaxing on the beach. She also had an adventurous spirit and enjoyed floating down the river.  She relished time spent with friends and family, especially her beloved nieces and nephews. She also enjoyed the simple things in life like laughing with her husband and playing “cat mom” to her fur baby, Gracie.

She is survived by her best friend and husband, Dominic Dieter, whom she married on December 14, 2018; her father and step mother, Garry and Eileen Garrod; her maternal grandmother, Elsie McConville; sister, Jody Schantz; step-brother, Kenneth (Cecilia) Linamen; step sister, Nicole Sunday; nephews, Cameron Schantz, Hayden Linamen, Nicholas Petro, David Akroyd and Kevin Akroyd; nieces, Charlee Hormel and Gianna Petro; mother-in-law, Nikki Dieter; father-in-law Dale Dieter; sisters-in law, Dee (Nick) Petro and Elsia (John) Akroyd.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Becky Garrod, her maternal grandfather, Lester McConville and her paternal grandparents Doris and George Garrod.

The family will receive friends on Monday, September 30, 2024, from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm at the Warrick-Kummer-Rettig Funeral Home, Columbiana.

Services will be held on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at 10:00 am, at the First Christian Church of Columbiana, with family friend, Ken Rambo officiating.

Jessica will be laid to rest with her mother at New Waterford Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Jessica’s memory at: Metavivor.org

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Warrick-Kummer-Rettig Funeral Home, Columbiana.

Family and friends may view this obituary and send condolences at www.familycareservices.com

Metavivor.org