Obituaries

Norma Marie Donelli, passed away on July 4, 2023, in Blacksburg, VA, just weeks shy of her 100th birthday. She was predeceased by her husband of sixty years, Dr. Allan Donelli, and her sisters, Rita Repack and Thelma Oclepo. Norma is survived by daughters Arlene (Roman) Cybak of Charlottesville, VA and Gail (John) Donelli-Burns of Blacksburg, VA and three grandchildren, Andrew Cybak, and Jacquelyn and Christopher Marano.

Norma was born in Pittsburgh, PA, to Joseph and Perena Oclepo, who emigrated from northern Italy. Norma met her sweetheart, Allan, while he was a student at Duquesne University. He was smitten with her initially from afar as she and her friends would walk along the “Bluff” above the rivers of Pittsburgh. They were married in 1942, and eventually moved to Washington, PA where she assisted her husband in his dental practice, while raising their daughters and teaching piano. In 1968 they relocated to Erie, PA, residing there almost 20 years. Then, Stuart, Florida became their retirement destination where they enjoyed many years playing golf, tennis, traveling and being members of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church.

Norma was known to many as the “lovely red head” with endless energy, easily befriending everyone. She was a great ballroom dancer and dazzled her condo and small community audiences with her gifted piano playing by ear- name that tune and Norma played it. Among her friends, she was the last to give up tennis, but embraced ping pong and bridge as steadfast past times. She could also be found mulling over the newspaper word jumbler and not surrender until the puzzle was solved.

Several years after Allan passed away, Norma moved to an assisted living facility in Blacksburg, Virginia to be closer to her two daughters. There she continued playing bridge, rummikube, and a little piano with admirable acuity and participated in most of the offered activities - often being the first on the scene. Even though she used a walker, she would still zip through the halls with incredible mobility. She was fortunate to maintain a cognitive sharpness to the very end and was always impeccably dressed. In spite of the aches and pains of aging, she kept on truckin’ with a smile and a greeting or comment for all she came in touch with…and all would say up until the end…” we can’t believe how strong and active Norma is... she’s amazing.”

This beautiful woman was blessed with a long, healthy life and with a loving husband, children, grandchildren, and enduring friendships. A memorial service will be held at a later date at Warm Hearth Village, Blacksburg, Virginia.