Vera J. Turcotte

Vera Jean Turcotte, beloved mother, wife and friend, passed away peacefully at home on January 15, 2016 after a brave 18-month battle against cancer. Vera was born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island on March 12, 1924, the eldest daughter of Antonio Tucci and Carolina Angiolillo Tucci. She attended school in Pawtucket, including Joseph Jenks Junior High School and East Senior High School, from which she graduated in 1942. Vera loved learning and enjoyed school despite having to walk through ever-higher snow drifts during bitter New England winters to reach the schoolhouse. She grew up in a loving traditional Italian-American family with her older brother, Raymond, her twin younger sisters, Velma and Lucy, and her youngest brother, Edmond. Vera was predeceased by her parents and siblings. After graduation, Vera trained as a hairdresser and worked at Shartenberg’s in Pawtucket. She enjoyed the New England countryside and seaside, especially trips to Bristol and Martha’s Vineyard. In 1948 she became engaged to Paul Turcotte, also of Pawtucket, and they were married on October 25th of that year. They enjoyed travel, especially trips to New York City and Quebec. In 1954, a career opportunity for Paul led to a move to New Orleans, with a further move the following year to Tampa, Florida. In September 1956, Vera and Paul’s only child, Peter, was born in Tampa. The family subsequently lived in Atlanta from 1958 to 1961 before returning to Florida and then relocating to Texas, and eventually returned to Atlanta in 1973. Vera was involved in several volunteer activities and when her son went off to college she decided to return to work for the first time since leaving Rhode Island. She joined Lord & Taylor at Phipps Plaza, and had a very enjoyable and successful 25-year career with that store. She made many long-lasting friendships while at Lord & Taylor. Following her retirement, Vera devoted herself to Paul, who had also retired, and to gardening and cooking “in the Mediterranean way”, and she excelled at both. Her gardening interests focused on herbs and vegetables that she employed in her cooking adventures. She and Paul also greatly enjoyed traveling and in their retirement circled the globe several times, and especially enjoyed visits to Thailand, Great Britain, Italy, Spain, Japan and Ireland. When Paul’s health began to fail, Vera was fully engaged in caring for him until his death in 2011. Vera was in exceptional health and lived independently until her final illness, which she approached with an admirable mix of grace, faith and stoicism. She often said to family and friends that she had a wonderful life and did not want her passing to create sadness. Her family and friends will honor her wishes by always remembering and celebrating her cheerfulness, warmth and ever-present smile, and her boundless compassion, generosity and love. A private family burial service was held on January 27th at Arlington Memorial Park in Atlanta.