Obituary for Vilma Marie Frances Patrucco
Vilma Marie Frances Patrucco, 86, formally of New York, Johnston and Providence, Rhode Island passed away on January 23, 2022 at St Elizabeth’s Home in East Greenwich.
Born January 28, 1936 in Binghampton New York she was the daughter of the late Pietro and Christina (Sassone) Patrucco and beloved sister of the late Dr. Armand I Patrucco.
Vilma graduated from Cathedral High School, New York in 1953 and went on to graduate with a BA in English from Queens College, New York in 1957. She continued her studies at Columbia University, completing her MA thesis on The Voyage Psalms of Yeats and Baudelaire in 1958. An avid reader Vilma continued her education when she moved to Rhode Island earning a MA in Library Sciences from the University of Rhode Island in 1970.
She was passionate not only about the English language but also spoke fluent Italian and French. She loved to travel and her many adventures brought her on many trips but her favorite place to visit was Italy to visit the many relatives her immigrant parents had left behind.
Her love of the English language and reading translated into many publishing, teaching and library career opportunities. Vilma was employed as an Editorial Assistant in the Foreign News Section at the New York Herald Tribune, an Assistant Editor at Columbia University Press where she edited Granger’s Index to Poetry, and a Humanities Editor for Choice the book review journal of the American Library Associations, College and Research Libraries Division.
Vilma shared her passion for English and reading over the years with many high school and university students. She taught high school English and Humanities at Windsor High School in Winsor, New York, Roosevelt High School in Stamford Connecticut, and at Foxhollow High School in Lenox, Massachusetts. Her college teaching experiences included teaching English Composition and World Literature at Fitchburg State College in Fitchburg Massachusetts, Broome Technical Community College in Binghamton, New York, Rhode Island College in Providence, Rhode Island, and New England Institute of Technology, Providence, Rhode Island. Vilma also worked as Assistant Librarian at the Library of the Rhode Island Medical Society, in Providence Rhode Island for a few years.
With a book or the New York Times always in her hand Vilma loved discussing current events and clipped articles for friends about topics that interested them. She was deeply devoted to her family especially her late brother Dr. Armand I Patrucco whom she considered her best friend. Armand was a much admired History professor at Rhode Island College who was born with Cerebral Palsy and had mobility challenges. A selfless and devoted sister Vilma moved to Rhode Island to live with and help her brother. They lived together at the Regency Apartments in Providence for many years.
Her family would like to give special thanks to the staff of St Elizabeth’s Home the Bay Unit in East Greenwich and Hope Hospice for the extraordinary love and care they gave Vilma. They truly became like a second family to her. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
The funeral service will be held Monday, June 27th in the Historic Chapel in Swan Point Cemetery, Blackstone Blvd., Providence at 11am. Burial will follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her memory to Hope Hospice and Palliative Care Rhode Island, 1085 North main Street, Providence, RI 02904
Read More
Born January 28, 1936 in Binghampton New York she was the daughter of the late Pietro and Christina (Sassone) Patrucco and beloved sister of the late Dr. Armand I Patrucco.
Vilma graduated from Cathedral High School, New York in 1953 and went on to graduate with a BA in English from Queens College, New York in 1957. She continued her studies at Columbia University, completing her MA thesis on The Voyage Psalms of Yeats and Baudelaire in 1958. An avid reader Vilma continued her education when she moved to Rhode Island earning a MA in Library Sciences from the University of Rhode Island in 1970.
She was passionate not only about the English language but also spoke fluent Italian and French. She loved to travel and her many adventures brought her on many trips but her favorite place to visit was Italy to visit the many relatives her immigrant parents had left behind.
Her love of the English language and reading translated into many publishing, teaching and library career opportunities. Vilma was employed as an Editorial Assistant in the Foreign News Section at the New York Herald Tribune, an Assistant Editor at Columbia University Press where she edited Granger’s Index to Poetry, and a Humanities Editor for Choice the book review journal of the American Library Associations, College and Research Libraries Division.
Vilma shared her passion for English and reading over the years with many high school and university students. She taught high school English and Humanities at Windsor High School in Winsor, New York, Roosevelt High School in Stamford Connecticut, and at Foxhollow High School in Lenox, Massachusetts. Her college teaching experiences included teaching English Composition and World Literature at Fitchburg State College in Fitchburg Massachusetts, Broome Technical Community College in Binghamton, New York, Rhode Island College in Providence, Rhode Island, and New England Institute of Technology, Providence, Rhode Island. Vilma also worked as Assistant Librarian at the Library of the Rhode Island Medical Society, in Providence Rhode Island for a few years.
With a book or the New York Times always in her hand Vilma loved discussing current events and clipped articles for friends about topics that interested them. She was deeply devoted to her family especially her late brother Dr. Armand I Patrucco whom she considered her best friend. Armand was a much admired History professor at Rhode Island College who was born with Cerebral Palsy and had mobility challenges. A selfless and devoted sister Vilma moved to Rhode Island to live with and help her brother. They lived together at the Regency Apartments in Providence for many years.
Her family would like to give special thanks to the staff of St Elizabeth’s Home the Bay Unit in East Greenwich and Hope Hospice for the extraordinary love and care they gave Vilma. They truly became like a second family to her. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
The funeral service will be held Monday, June 27th in the Historic Chapel in Swan Point Cemetery, Blackstone Blvd., Providence at 11am. Burial will follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her memory to Hope Hospice and Palliative Care Rhode Island, 1085 North main Street, Providence, RI 02904
To send flowers or plant a tree in memory of Vilma Marie Frances Patrucco, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Service
Monday
27
Jun
11:00 AM
- 12:00 PM
Swan Point Cemetery
585 Blackstone Blvd
Providence, RI 02906
Cemetery Details
Location
Swan Point Cemetery
585 Blackstone Blvd
Providence, RI 02906
Thank you for sharing your
memory of Vilma Marie
Provide comfort for the family by sending flowers or planting a tree in memory of Vilma Marie Frances Patrucco.
Send Flowers
Loading...