The most beautiful reunion took place in heaven February 7th, 2024, when Katie Lorene (McDaniel) Brunicardi left this world and was reunited with her husband.

Katie was born February 20th, 1943 in Huntington, W Va. The daughter of the late William and Ima McDaniel. She graduated from Point Pleasant High School in 1961 and began studies at The Holzer School of Nursing. Nursing was the career she was born for. Combining her intelligence, compassion and natural empathy, she excelled in her chosen field and graduated in 1964. She also met the love of her life that year. Giovanni ( John) Brunicardi was her first, and last blind date. They were married in December of 1964 after a whirlwind six month courtship. That union lasted nearly 56 years when she lost her soulmate in August of 2020.

Katie left the nursing field temporarily when she chose to assist her husband in building his dream of owning a music store. Brunicardi Music opened in 1967 and was a beacon in the community for music, education and support of the arts for 32 years. It also allowed them to spend all of their time together. They were amazing people with a love that was so obvious and true that others were drawn to them. Katie's husband and their three girls were her first priority. Together they built a home that was welcoming to all. Full of beautiful music, wonderful food and a deep love that felt like a warm hug to everyone who spent time there.

Once they closed the music store, Katie returned to nursing. She returned to a medical field that was computerized and advanced and she met and conquered that challenge head-on. Her natural talents and leadership skills were recognized quickly. Once John and Katie relocated to Loveland, Ohio; she began work with Hospice of Cincinnati. She was quickly promoted to evening supervisor where she put her clinical and caregiving skills to work in one of the most difficult areas to practice; end of life care. Unwilling to be separated from his" Blue Eyes" for too long, John would often bring food and treats in to share with staff and families as he waited to drive her home at night at the end of her shift.

When Katie retired from hospice their travel and grandparent years began. She was the most loving Nana and spent these years baking, cuddling and playing with her beloved grandchildren. She often said being a grandparent was her best job! She saw her own babies in the faces of her grandchildren. She was an amazing daughter, friend, nurse, wife, mother and Nana. A true gift to all that knew her.

While we are heartbroken with her loss, we are overjoyed that she is reunited with Papa for all eternity. You will rarely see a photo of the two of them where they are not touching each other and that is how we picture them now.

She is survived by her three daughters, Laura ( Jeff) Northup of Loveland, Ohio; Armanda ( Brad) Hively of Higginsport, Ohio and Anita ( Jim) Dove of Canal Winchester, Ohio. She was a proud Nana to Madeline Kaye and Evan William Northup, James Jonathan Dove and Sophia Catherine Hively.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, February 15th at 12 noon at the Community of the Good Shepherd, 8815 E Kemper Rd, Cincinnati, Oh. 45249. Bishop Joe Benzer presiding. A live stream of the Mass can be found on The Good Shepherd website. Please visit https://good-shepherd.org/funeral-services

The family would like to thank the incredible staff of Hospice of Cincinnati for the excellent and compassionate care provided to both Katie and her family. You honored her as one of your own and we are forever grateful.