Pina M. Johnson

Pina M. Johnson was born on the Isle of Capri on August 18, 1927.On June 24, 2017, Pina joined her husband Johnnie J. Johnson in heaven. Pina met her husband on the Isle of Capri in Italy during WWII. They were married for 55 years before Johnnie’s passing on September 18, 2001. Pina has a son, Jerry married to Barbara and a daughter, Janice (Johnson) married to Rick Knapp. Jerry and his wife Barbara reside in Larchmont, N.Y. They have two daughters, Bary and Lindsey married to Andrew Bez and a son, Joseph. Jerry and Barbara also have two grandsons James and Dylan Bez. Janice and Rick reside in Norfolk, Va and have a daughter, Tori (in heaven) and a son John and his wife, Francisca. Pina has a sister, Maria Veniero who lives in Naples, Italy who lost her loving husband Filippo on April 9, 2006. Pina loved Maria’s daughters Anna Maria, Patrizia and Raffaella as her own. Pina will miss her loving goddaughter, Juliana Spurgeon and her brothers, Van and Jay. Their mother, Mary Lynne and her parents, Pat and Dora Hornbake were her closest friends for many years when Pina moved to Norfolk in 1951. Pina also joins her loving sister-in-law, Ruth and her husband Varnell who predeceased her and she will be missed by their children Jelene, Jerone, and Christol. Pina began her American life in Alexander City, Alabama with her husband Johnnie Johnson and Johnnie’s relatives. Jerry and Janice were born in Alabama and then they moved to Norfolk, VA in 1951 next door to the Hornbakes where they became best friends. Pina opened a children’s store, Prince and Princess in Roosevelt shopping center in the 60’s. She also was a member of the Woman’s Suburban club. She was an avid bridge player and seamstress.She made amazing Italian dinners every Sunday which were enjoyed by her many friends and family. Pina lived the last 15 years at Westminster Canterbury on the Bay. For the last four years she lived in the Hoy center fighting Parkinson’s Disease. Her dear caretaker, Chelsea Adamavich cared for her every day these past four years. Pina was well known by the staff at Hoy who also cared for her. This past year everyone around her learned a little Italian as she preferred her native language during this time.

Pina’s funeral service will be conducted at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, June 27, 2017 at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 6329 Virginia Beach Blvd., Norfolk, Virginia. In lieu of flowers Memorial donations may be made to St. Mary’s Home for Disabled Children, 6171 Kempsville Circle, Norfolk, VA 23502 or SaintMary’sHome.org. Condolences may be left for the family at www.woodlawngroup.com. June 26, 2017 Letter from Maria (Pina’s sister in Italy)

Dearest Janice and Jerry,

Your mother has been for the best sister ever, and for my daughters the best Aunt: a fantastic sister, a fantastic Aunt.

She has been a very courageous woman. She left me, her mother, and her mother and her friends in Capri in 1940 to go to the USA with her young American love, Johnnie who is now hugging her again together with our precious Tori.

Life in the beginning in the States was not easy for Pina but she was very strong and her life day by day turned into a special life, mostly because of the love of all of you!

Now she is also with my husband, Filippo. Maybe he is playing the piano and Johnnie is dancing with Pina and Tori. They are all together, they are in peace, they will love us and they will take care of us.

Pina and I have been far from one another for much of the time in our lives, but always remained close to each other. She loved Filippo, and I loved Johnnie. I also love very much you two since you were born. Pina loved my daughters very much also, since they were born.

We have been somehow a different family, a big family full of love.

Pina, I can’t be there to say to you Ciao, Pina mia amatissima sorella, but I’m here with you in spirit and I am sure that you are free from the very bad sickness that you felt and finally in peace.

Ciao Pina, Capri, your family and I will never forget you.

Love you forever- Tua sorella Maria

Love you Jerry

Love you Janice

Love you Barbara

Love you Rick

Love you Juliana

Love you John, Tori, Bary, Lindsey and Joseph