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Jovanina Wilson Obituary
Jovanina Wilson
Oct. 11, 2003 - Aug. 26, 2022
CINCINNATI, OH -
Jovanina Wilson died Friday, August 26, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio after a nine month battle with a rare cancer. She was born October 11, 2003 to Marissa Ellis and Roy Wilson and her beloved older brother Isaac Wilson.
Her grandparents were Bee and Len Ellis and Roy and Florence Wilson, of Valparaiso.
Jovanina graduated this past June from Valparaiso High School. She was a member of the National Honor Society and the International Thespian Society.
She was a vivacious and gifted singer and actor. She started performing in plays and musicals at age eight with Premier Performance of Northwest Indiana, and the Chicago Street Theatre in Valparaiso. At VHS she was a four year member of the Drama Club and the Varsity Singers. In her senior year, she was the Singers' choreographer. She also took part in annual improv performances.
She appeared in countless musicals and plays during her short life, including Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, Peter Pan, Matilda, Macbeth, A Midsummer Night's Dream The Lion King, Annie, Clue, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Coraline, and her final production, Ranked.
She had a powerfully strong work ethic and was known for memorizing all the parts in all the productions she was cast in. Her dream was to one day perform professionally on Broadway in New York City. The cancer forced her to miss her audition with the Julliard School and put an end to her pursuit of a theatrical college career.
She was diagnosed with small cell carcinoma of the ovary, hypercalcemic type, a rare and aggressive disease. She was treated primarily at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Cancer Center.
Her family wants to thank all the friends and family, neighbors, Drama Club members and Varsity Singers who made the trip to Cincinnati to visit Jovanina in her final weeks and for the stunning outpouring of love and support they've received from hundreds of Jova' friends and teachers; especially Drama Club teacher Colleen Peluso, Lisa Formosa-Parmigiano of the Chicago Street Theatre, her voice teacher Colleen Lovinello and improv instructor Matt McCann.
Special thanks go Jovanina's aunt and uncle Neenah Ellis and Noah Adams, and special family members Shayla and Jeb Bateman, who supported the family in the last weeks in Cincinnati.
A scholarship fund will soon be created to benefit young thespians in their pursuit of excellence.
When a friend heard of Jovanina's passing, she said: The night sky is one star brighter.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Jovanina Wilson
Lori Cox
October 11, 2022
Just learned of this tragic news. My deepest condolences to Jova´s family. She was a talented young lady and I always enjoyed seeing her smiling face in the library at Cooks Corners. So very sorry for your loss. Gone way too soon.
Holli Anderson
September 20, 2022
Dearest family of Jovanina, Im so sorry and pray for healing for your hearts. Know that heaven couldnt wait for one of the BEST to join the legion of Angels! We hurt and mourn as the Heavens Rejoice, for Jovanina has made it a much more beautiful place! You will see her again. Love and Prayers for you.
Nancy Pirri
September 6, 2022
I am sending love. And so sorry for the loss of your beautiful girl.
Brenda
September 5, 2022
Sorry for your loss. Prayers for all of you for grace as you mourn the loss of such a beautiful young lady.
HELEN MUFFOLETTO
September 3, 2022
Oh Marissa! All my love and sympathy!
HELEN MUFFOLETTO
September 3, 2022
Oh Marissa. No words. I love you.
Doug Redelman
September 3, 2022
So sorry for your loss. My condolences. Heaven just got blessed with another beautiful soul. RIP young one.
Tom Adamson
September 2, 2022
My heart is so sad today for you! Words fail. I know she is and will be forever loved. It is evident from her work on the stage she brought joy and inspiration to countless people. She will live on in your hearts. May she rest in peace and rise in Glory.
Madeline Whitaker
September 2, 2022
I remember working sound for VHS´s production of Peter and the Starcatcher. Jova made the experience so much fun and continued to do so into the 2019 April Antics. I got the chance to see her play the starring role in Matilda and was in awe by the evident hard work and palpable effort she´d put into the role. I have missed her radiant smile and infectious laugh since I last saw her that night for the show. My heart aches for her friends and family.
Deborah winter
September 2, 2022
She was a beautiful soul and so talented. She was blessed to have such a great mom and family and extended family and she gave those blessings back to everyone around her.
Mistyna Patterson
September 2, 2022
I am devastated to learn this. I am so sorry for your loss. What an amazingly beautiful, and fearless young lady! Her smile is contagious. I am honored to have known her.
-Mistyna
Stephanie
August 31, 2022
Such a beautifully talented person. Always enjoyed watching her perform... she was compelling, couldn't take your eyes off her. Such a bright light. Prayers over the entire family, her friends, and teachers, and all those effected by this loss. I know I will watch her on stage again one day in the kingdom beyond this one.
Lora
August 30, 2022
I did not know your daughter, but I am touched immensely after reading this. I am very sorry for the loss of this beautiful and vivacious young lady. How honored you must be to have been her parents. Bless you.
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