Nannette Eleanor Hoover Campanella Dietrich was born on September 24, 1930. Raised in Columbus Ohio, she attended Ohio State University and became the first female head cheerleader. She found the love of her life in Ohio State University football star Joe Campanella. After graduation, Nan and Joe were married.
Nan’s husband Joe played for the Baltimore Colts and later became president of the organization. Joe launched Gino’s and the Rustler Steak House restaurants with some teammates which grew to more than 500 locations before being purchased by Host foods.
Joe and Nan had six children with one on the way before Nan was widowed in 1967. Despite this tragedy, Nan felt grateful to have been so loved by the father of her children. With remarkable strength and grace, she went on to raise their seven children on her own. Tragedy struck again when Nan’s daughter Carrie Campanella Becker died suddenly in 1997.
Nan married Dr. Lawrence B. Dietrich Jr. later in life and together they traveled extensively through the Far East. She looked to him for spiritual guidance and embraced her calling in life as a mother, care giver, role model, matriarch, and devoted woman of God.
Nan is survived by her six children, Joseph A. Campanella, Constance L. Campanella Harvey, Nannette Corey Campanella, Michael C. Campanella, Martin J Campanella, John J Campanella. Carrie E. Campanella Becker predeceased her in 1997. Nan has 17 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren.
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