Vilma E. Pinchetti

BARRE – Vilma Elizabeth Pinchetti, 98, passed away on Sunday, April 14, 2024, at Woodridge Rehabilitation and Nursing.

Born on May 30, 1925, in Barre, she was the elder child of Guido and Elisa (Benvenuti) Bettini.  She was a first generation of her immigrant parents who came from Italy to Vermont.

Vilma attended Barre City Schools and graduated from Spaulding High School in 1943. Her goal was to become a nurse and Vilma was accepted into the Nurse Cadet Corps functioning during World War II. For this program she attended the school of nursing at Massachusetts General Hospital, graduating in 1946 with her RN degree.  A long-time nursing career began, first at the Barre City Hospital, followed by Central Vermont Medical Center, Berlin, and subsequently serving in elderly nursing care at the McFarland House in Barre.  She chose a career that satisfied her desire to help others, and in so doing brought joy to herself and comfort to those in need.  She retired in 1989.

On January 10, 1948, Vilma married Gildo Pinchetti, who was also in her high school graduating class.  They had remained in contact while he served in the Pacific in the U.S. Navy.  Her nursing graduation yearbook stated “she frequently received letters from a certain Robin Hood from Vermont.”  They were happily married for 61 years during which time they lived in Barre, Burlington, and Barre Town.

Vilma and her husband’s focus were on raising their two sons and fostering relationships with family and close friends.  Her interests included continuing the tradition of Italian cooking learned from her mother and adding some new innovations.  Her activities included enjoying the pleasures of summer outdoor family camping while the sons were growing up, being an active Den mom for the Cub Scouts, and quiet time reading novels.  She was always active in the organization of her high school reunion events.

She was an active member of the Hedding Methodist Church where she helped prepare those wonderful church sponsored meal events and also a participant for the Holiday bazaars.  She was also a member of the Central Vermont Medical Center Auxiliary. At times because of her nursing expertise, she was called upon by family and friends in need when serious health problems arose.

Once both retired, she and her husband enjoyed more available time to travel.  They would regularly visit their elder son and family who lived in France and then England, taking advantage to make side trips to Germany, Switzerland, and Italy.  With their other son settled in San Diego, California, they enjoyed the time with him and his wife while wintering in the warm and pleasant climate of that city.

Vilma also was a devoted grandmother and close friend to her granddaughters, Juliette and Sophie.  She was very proud of her young great-grandson, Issam, with whom she remained in contact on Skype as long as she was able.

Survivors include her two sons, Donald Pinchetti and his wife, Catherine of Bois-le-Roi, France, and David Pinchetti and his wife, Kathleen of San Diego, CA; her two granddaughters Juliette Pinchetti and her husband, Ali Kichou of Bedworth, UK, and Sophie Pinchetti of Puyo, Ecuador; and her great-grandson Issam Kichou of Bedworth, UK as well as nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband Gildo, her sister Thelma Wark and her brother Thelmo Bettini.

The service to honor and celebrate her life will be held privately at the convenience of her family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice, 600 Granger Road, Barre, VT  05641.