Jeanne L. Zingale

Jeanne L. Zingale, 90, died Jan. 14, 2017, at Mountain View Center Gensis Nursing Home, surrounded by her family.
She was born in Rutland, June 24, 1926, daughter of Charles and Jennie (Narciso) Benincasa. Jeanne graduated from Mount St. Joseph Academy in 1944.
She was employed by The Rutland Herald for a total of 31 years. Upon her retirement in 1990, Mr. Mitchell dubbed her, "The Poet Laureate" of the Herald. To many, she was simply known as "The Lady" who wrote all those uplifting Letters to the Editor. You made so many people smile because of those letters. In-between her career at The Rutland Herald, she was also employed as a cashier for Safe Way grocery stores.
Jeanne married Joseph B. Zingale on Oct. 8, 1955, in St. Peter Church. They had three children and she shared with him 60 loving years of marriage.
Jeanne was a very active member of St. Peter Church, serving both as a lector and parish council member for many years. She was also a member of the following organizations: The Columbiettes (serving as their first president); R.S.V.P; the Sodality of the Legion of Mary; and a volunteer at the Rutland Regional Medical Center. Her hobbies included poetry, traveling, crossword puzzles, needlepoint and above all, taking care of her two grandsons, Eric and Alex, the pride and joy of her life.
Surviving are her three children, a son, Joseph Zingale Jr., of Rutland, two daughters, Nancy Cristelli and husband Andy, of Mendon, and Laura Jakubowski and husband Michael, of Castleton; two grandsons, Eric and Alex Jakubowski: and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband, Joseph B. Zingale; one brother, John Benincasa; and five sisters, Annie Frappier, Mafalda "Muffy" Lemmo, Mary Mirti and Laura Benincasa.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017, in St. Peter Church.
Calling hours will be held on Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Clifford Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Peter Church, 134 Convent Ave., Rutland, VT 05701.