Vernita "Nita" L. Violetta

Vernita Louise Violetta (nee Nicholas), 93, of Springfield, Ohio, died peacefully the evening of October 3, 2026, at Forest Glen Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center where she had been a resident for a number of years.

Nita, as she was known to friends and family, was born on October 12, 1932, in Negaunee, Michigan; the daughter of William Thomas Nicholas and Gwendolyn Grace (Wallis) Nicholas. Nita attended Negaunee High School where she enjoyed creative writing (but not history), interpretive dance and playing the saxophone in the marching band. After graduating from Negaunee High School, she worked as a secretary at the North Range Mining Company. Nita soon met and began dating her future husband, Donald Violetta. After a brief separation (he at Michigan Technological University and she at North Park College in Chicago), she left college and they were married on September 6, 1952, at Mitchell Methodist Church, Negaunee, Michigan.

In 1959, they moved to Lyndhurst, Ohio, where Nita was devoted to raising her four children. In the early 1970's, Nita attended Cleveland State University where she graduated with a degree in Education. Nita taught in the South Euclid-Lyndhurst City School District, the Kenston Local School District and was a member of the Church of the Good Shepard, Lyndhurst, Ohio.

Through the years, Donald and Nita lived in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Beaver Creek, Ohio. After the passing of her husband, Nita resided in Springfield, Ohio, where her daughter Dawn and her husband Brian Wood patiently and lovingly managed and cared for her for many years.

While Donald traveled the world building steel mills, Nita stayed close to home being Mom and Nana. Nita enjoyed reading, knitting, and taking care of her grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Curtis Violetta, her brother, Byron Nicholas, and her sister, Grace (Norman) Dobson. Surviving are her three sons, Gary (Jennifer) Violetta of Clermont, Florida, Bradley (Darlene) Violetta of Chagrin Falls, Ohio and Dean (Karen) Violetta of Milford, Ohio; one daughter, Dawn (Brian) Wood of Springfield, Ohio; 8 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and several nephews.

There will be a Celebration of Life in the Spring of 2027.