Norma Leone Cappelletti

Norma Leone Cappelletti

Pinehurst

Mrs. Norma Leone Cappelletti, 88, of Pinehurst & Durham, North Carolina passed away on May 18th at UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill with her beloved family in attendance.

Born on June 26th, 1925 in Waterbury, CT., she was the daughter of Ralph and Theresa (Schiavone) Leone, both predeceased. She is predeceased by her sister, Mrs. Ronald (Vivian) Cocchiola, and is survived by her sister, Mrs. Edward (Josephine) Sandora, brother, Mr. Ronald Leone, brother in law, Mr. Ronald Cocchiola, four sons: Joseph Ralph "Chip" Cappelletti, (Elaine Scheitlin), Robert Michael Cappelletti, (Mary Ann), Richard Alan Cappelletti, (Christy) John Leone Cappelletti, (Wendy), ten grandchildren, and countless nieces and nephews.

She graduated from Crosby High School in 1943, where she was captain of the cheerleading team. She was an avid gymnast and invited to the United States Olympic Team trials. She graduated from Waterbury Hospital's School of Nursing in 1947 where she obtained her R.N. degree. As the top student in her graduating class she immediately assumed the position of Head Nurse/ER, as well as instructor in the nursing school. She continued to serve in that capacity until leaving the nursing field to marry Dr. A.J. Cappelletti on June 17th, 1950, and raise a family. As a mother, nothing gave her more pleasure than sewing Halloween costumes, baking birthday cakes, or teaching Broadway show tunes to her children. She enjoyed singing in the Blessed Sacrament Church choir, figure skating, playing a good hand of bridge, and hosting dinner parties for she was a wonderful cook, a talent appreciated by family and friends alike. During the following years she was involved in many civic and cultural activities, including The Waterbury Civic Theatre, The Waterbury Mattatuck Museum, The Waterbury Symphony, The Women's Emergency Shelter, and The Waterbury Girls Club. She served on various boards at Waterbury Hospital and as President of the Waterbury Hospital Women's Auxiliary. She was an accomplished pianist and singer, and sang and acted in a number of musicals performed by the Waterbury Civic Theatre.

After her children were raised, she ran for political office and was a two term Connecticut State Representative. Norma was one of the first to welcome President Ronald Reagan when he visited Waterbury, and later dined with The First Family at the White House. She served on several Connecticut State Legislature Committees before retiring from politics.

In the late 80's, she moved with her husband Joe to Pinehurst, North Carolina, where they had first purchased a home and became members of the Pinehurst Country Club in 1973. Norma served as a member of their Board of Governors and at various times chaired the Compliance, Election, and Green Committees. She was a certified U.S.G.A. rules official and served in that capacity for both U.S. Opens and for the Senior U.S. Open.

She remained very active in politics for the remainder of her life and served as the President of the Moore County Republican Women Group, and chaired their Legislative and Bylaws committees. She was a frequent editorial writer for the Pilot Newspaper of Southern Pines.

Along with The Pinehurst Country Club, she was a member of the Waterbury Country Club, The Waterbury Club, The Club at Quechee, Vermont, and the Silver Foils. Together with her husband Joe, Norma established The Cappelletti Cup, an annual Silver Foils Golf Tournament held each year at The Pinehurst Country Club.

She enjoyed golfing, gardening, music and the theatre, and had a lifelong love of opera having been named after Bellini's La Norma. She also enjoyed riding roughshod on her four boys whenever and wherever the opportunity presented itself, which was often and usually well deserved.

A Celebratory Mass will be held on Thursday May 29, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church in Pinehurst with a reception to immediately follow at The Pinehurst Country Club. An additional Celebratory Mass will be held at Blessed Sacrament Church in Waterbury Connecticut at a later date.

Any and all remembrances will be welcomed by the family with gratitude. Memorial donations may be made to The Cappelletti Cup c/o The Silver Foils, PO Box 921, Pinehurst, NC - 28374.

Online condolences may be left at: www.bolesfuneral home.com

Boles Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc.in Pinehurst will be assisting the family.