Annetta (Antionetta) Carmela (Cocco) Norcia passed away at the age of 95 in the home she shared with her daughter, Michelle (Norcia) Baker. Affectionately known as Nana, or Animal Cracker Nana to her great-grandchildren, she remained independent and active her entire life. Born to Anthony and Annie (Celender) Cocco, she grew up in Bloomfield, PA, with her sisters Lucy, Rose, and Rita and brother Felix. Netta fondly recalled her childhood blessed with the love her parents and siblings shared with each other, in addition to their large extended Italian family.
Netta was a dancer all her life and lived for any occasion to celebrate with friends and family. Though she entered her teen years in the height of WWII, her most vivid memory was riding the bike she shared with Rita all the way downtown on VE-Day, her sister sitting on the handlebars and banging metal pots while she pedaled.
She didn't let fun get in the way of responsibility. After graduating high school, she worked two full-time jobs. She was very proud of her career, rising from a phone operator to office manager during her time at Levinson Steel Company in Pittsburgh, PA. Despite a long commute on both the bus and streetcar, she wore her polished style and fashion to work every day. She married the love of her life, Michael Norcia of Canton, OH. Netta left Levinson to travel to Canada with her family, where her husband would pursue his professional football career in the Canadian League.
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Michael was an exceptional athlete and excelled in both football and golf. Netta was very proud of the golf course they co-owned and operated together for over a decade, Valley Forge Golf Course (now Cherokee Hills). She loved sharing stories about Papa’s famous fettuccine alfredo and steak dinners served after hosting golf outings for the Cleveland Fire Dept. and the Cleveland Browns NFL team. Mike’s high school football coaching career introduced Netta to her roles in the school offices at Parma High School in Parma, OH, and Dillard High School in Broward County, FL. Both husband and wife were much loved by staff and students wherever their lives took them. Netta and Mike were devoted partners for 58 years until his death in 2013.
Together they raised sons Michael and Louis and daughter Michelle. They were grandparents to Matthew, Brittney, Teresa, Sarah, Rita-Mae, Michael Jr., Nicole, Vince, and Christina. Netta’s first great-grandchild, Samuel, was blessed to have a very close relationship with her for 16 years. Sam is joined by great-grandchildren Oliver, Michael, Benjamin, Ariston Louis, and Aliyah Rose.
Netta’s loving devotion and unwavering optimism touched everyone who came to know her. Her generous affection and support extended to beloved friends regardless if she knew them for a year or a whole lifetime. She treasured every moment with her nieces, nephews, cousins, and everyone in between. The impact from Nana’s life extended far beyond her own personal achievements to touch on countless others. She will be deeply mourned by all. However, her impact will continue to live on in the love, lessons, and memories she shared with the world.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2026 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, located at 6928 Detroit Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio, 44102. A Memorial Mass will follow at 12:00 pm at the same location.
The final resting place will be Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Seville, Ohio.
