Norina Felicina Vannucci Wolfe

Our beloved matriarch, Norina Felicina Vannucci Wolfe, passed away peacefully on February 23, 2022, at 4:44pm. She was in her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born on June 15th, 1928, in Moneglia, Italy on the Italian Riviera. She was preceded in death by her parents, Primo and Ida Vannucci, her husband, John Walton Wolfe and her sister Mari Lo Casio. She is survived by her daughters, Rita Lovelace Oliver, Nadine Lovelace Allen and Lynda (Darryl) Robinson; her grandchildren, Tracy King and David Allen Sr. and her great grandchildren, JJ, Trey and Skylar King and David Jr., Alaysia and Kamora Allen. She also leaves behind her extended family in Italy, a host of cherished friends and her special friend, fellow fun seeker, travel partner and companion to the end Richard Gambs. Norina spent her childhood on the Mediterranean Sea. She was a free spirit and a dreamer with a curiosity for life. As a young girl, she enjoyed spending time with her sister and her friends, walking the beach, dancing, drawing and boys. She survived WWII with her family and often spoke of the invasion of her hometown. They survived bombings by sheltering in tunnels and endured years without food and electricity. Norina loved movies and dreamed of coming to America. When the war was over, she met and married an American soldier. They spent time in Rome before coming to America and settled in his hometown of Columbus, Ohio. The only America she knew was the one portrayed in Hollywood movies and coming to Columbus, Ohio was a culture shock. It took time to learn the language and acclimate to life in America. After several years, Norina became a single mother of 3 daughters. She worked at Western Electric for several years to support her girls. After she remarried her life significantly changed. She was afforded the ability to travel, enjoy the arts and participate in community service. Norina served on the boards of the Columbus Zoo, Museum of Art, Greater Columbus Arts Council and Mount Carmel Hospitals. She was the co-founder of Pro-Musica and the Italian American Sibyilla Club. She also served as an ambassador to the Greater Columbus Sister Cities International initiative. Norina remained a vibrant spirit well into her 90's. She spent her last years living between Palm Beach, Florida and Columbus, Ohio. Family will receive friends from 4-7 PM on Friday, March 4, 2022 at SCHOEDINGER MIDTOWN, 229 E. State Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215, where a Funeral Service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, March 5, 2022. Memorial contributions may be made to ProMedica Hospice, 6500 Busch Boulevard #210, Columbus, Ohio 43229 or to the Alzheimer's Association Central Ohio Chapter, 1379 Dublin Road, Columbus, Ohio 43215.