Romanita Campbell

May 10, 1928 - October 8, 2024

Born May 10, 1928 in Trieste, Italy. Romanita was the 10th of 10 children born to Giovanni and Ildegarda Colomban. She moved to the United States in 1953 followed by her sister, Francesca. Initially, she lived in Indianapolis, Indiana. Her sister and husband Norman relocated to Miami, Florida and Romanita soon followed her. She moved to help with Franca’s growing family, John and Barbara. When in Miami she met her husband, Charles “Chuck” Campbell. After dating for 6 months, they married in 1959. In 1962 their daughter, Susan, was born.

After living in south Florida they decided to retire in Port St. Lucie in 1993. They started a new chapter of their lives at Kings Isle. Romanita kept very busy being a part of many clubs. She and Chuck often went on trips and participated in dinners and dances through Kings Isle’s various clubs. She enjoyed bingo (she was part of the staff), playing Hand and Foot, and bowling. When Chuck passed away in 2006 she decided on remaining in her home until she moved to California in 2022. Her last years were often filled with the many friendships she made over the years..Her next door neighbor and friend, Mary-Estelle Hamden, she was a true friend. They often kept an eye on each other's homes and picked up the mail when they traveled. She was very grateful for all the help she received from Ernestine Giavedoni with managing her computer. After the passing of Chuck, she would have never had the ability to keep in contact with family and friends without Erinie’s help. Sally was her go-to hairdresser. She was recently predeceased by her best friend, Marion O’Reilly and friend, Gloria Miller. Romanita was the last one of the first homeowners and longtime friends.

After she moved to California she continued to travel with her daughter and son-in-law to Alaska, the Panama Canal and Hawaii (to see the USS Arizona’s final resting place).

She lived in Paul and Susan’s home for the first year and later decided to get her own apartment at Oakmont Assisted Living. She enjoyed all the activities she participated with her friends. She shared many meals with her friends Gloria and Sue (and others) and activities like bingo and rummikub as well as a few “field trips”, too.. The staff treated her with lots of love and compassion.

Romanita was an amazing mother and grandmother. She was a girl scout assistant and room mother, field trip chaperone and all around volunteer at OLPH. She made lots of Susan’s clothing and she especially liked having new dresses for every dance or activity. She taught Susan how to cook and manage a household.

She went back to work in order to take us to Trieste in 1976. It was a trip of a lifetime. She and Susan spent the entire summer going to all the places she went to as a kid. Growing up in Italy during WWII was no easy feat. Often she would have to run to the bomb shelter in the middle of the night with her sister and mom. To help with getting a variety of food during the war she would go with her uncles to trade eggs for flour and other perishables. Many enjoyed hearing about those experiences..

She and Chuck never missed Christmas with us and often spent summers here to watch her granddaughters, Shelby and Madisen. She could often be found playing with them and they loved having her around. She was a wonderful cook and we all enjoyed everything she made. Sometimes she’d have to repeat things many times to satisfy the family's requests. Every holiday there was a big breakfast with hot sausage, biscuits, hashbrowns and eggs. Romanita was all about traditions. She and Chuck loved throwing parties. Our families spent every holiday together. All the summer parties were at Alfred and Blanche’s lake house with their son Ron and wife Jean, grandchildren Michael and Craig The other holidays were often split with her sister, Franca. We also spent every Saturday going back and forth so they could all play Rook. Susan and Barbara were always together. John would play music for all of us. He could play anything he picked up! Later, John would go on to marry Sandra and they had 3 children, Jon, Katrina, and Michael.

She occasionally needed help while Paul and Susan were in California. Genna and Les Ruiz were always there for her. From putting up hurricane shutters to visits when she was in the hospital. She loved having them over for dinner and sharing her cruise booze. They treated her with such love, dignity and respect. Les would often DJ events at Kings Isle and he made her feel like a celebrity when she’d see him.

She was loved by many. Her son-in-law could be often found doing repairs around her house, and taking exceptional care of her after Chuck passed away. She would often tell me that she liked him more than me. What a compliment! Her granddaughters, Shelby and Madisen adored her. She loved when they played Uno, Skipbo and Rummikub. She was very close with her niece, Barbara Starkweather and her children Genna, Jade and Michael. She loved watching them and their children. She felt like they were her kids and grandkids. Genna and Les Ruiz and son Sebastian LaHara, Jade White and children Angelina and WIlliam Pagan, Michael and Tonni Starkweather and children Asa, Elsie and Austin. Paul’s brother Jim Brown and sister-in-law Linda always included her every time we got together. Their son, Justin, would go to visit her when he was in town. She thought of him as a grandson and loved him very much.

She was predeceased by her husband, Chuck, parents and siblings, and her nephew, John Maughan, cousins Alfred and Blanche Dudine. Brothers and Sister in laws, Gayle, Paul (Mardell), Gordon (Betty), David Campbell, Virginia (TA) Skipper and Lois Summers.and Tommy Skipper.

She is survived by her daughter, Susan Campbell-Brown, son-in-law Paul Brown, Granddaughters Shelby (Leo) and Madisen (Christina) Brown, sister in law, Barbara Campbell, and nieces and nephews Becky, Lisa, Keith, Pamela, Jennifer, Todd, Richard, Cindy and Steve and their families. Barbara Stardweather, Genna (Les), Jade, Michael (Tonni), Ron and Jean Dudine and their children and grandchildren.

She will be missed.